



















V > “W. 


* 


- .0 






O v c ° w ° ^ 



v - <\ *o • \ * 

N * 


>° v 


o. *0 


+ 0 * 


ew0 '* v 

v »v°. c\ <o %lV>L% 

• ^ AT ^ 

t 'Vv’ » 






SK - 4 .^'IW^ * 


* . • 4 A 


aV-\ ; 
* <$» ° 


O -* 

c °_" ° •* . **o ^ . «. 4 ^ 



o o A 


» /? vT - 

* ^ '(a o 

4 ,* v ^ * 




% _ ° vr ** 
”. ’’o K .' 

; j 0 t • 


9 i 1 



0 > O * ^ 

o v ^ * O 


• ^ ^ * 



*. *b V* 


J- 0v * 


< 5 > * * * o v c, 

VV s ♦ • . , \ 

#v ^ .VGfiNr. % J /. 

vr*V 





* ■*. 



° <?V c!^ ♦ 


^ y> 







o * * 



0 « °." ® -» O .AV • *■' * + 



J. 0- ^ 


« # <1 




0 V *•_"% *> V ^ *«•• 

^ ^ * * 
v*v * 

«MP. 



* a? ^ * 





0 . * * <G^ \3 ♦ 

0 V c ° „ ^o 

v *^ 55 ^^. o 


, % W /% \ 

.VV^“- * ' 

11 <N * ff/il/Ss 0 * ’ *v 

♦ o V . - V* o> 

• x° V\ 

> y 9 *. * 

♦ (\ <&* <c 

•” „f° ... ^. ' ” » ° ° y Of. *..■.• 4' 

♦ ^ Vo** 0 * c* 4 . 0 V 

* a a, ► ^ 

r£» aV * 

> * 



o o * 



bv 



> ^ o 



O « A 





^ c 
- ^ ^ 






* & 

<V "o . * - .(S # . , v 

V & • «■ ' « * (V i° N ° * ^O 4^’ 

’ W* ♦W^ b \ ^ a° .•^trC- ° aT *‘ 

^o ^ 'W -> o v 4 * ; 

; ^°x. v’Slisp-.* i°-n*. - 

* V <v, V«~Y* n° *. * 


t • o 


o f * 




- . Ap ’ «, LV>L' 

•o v <4* *v 

°. ^ : 

* ^ ,J ^> °. 1 W4¥*" ^ 

4 <L V r/> ^ V XT * 4 <L V 

" ^> **T\ «* A <V . » - XT 

0^ c 0 " C „ *^Q jV •'■'•* ^ . (y c ‘ 





<-S <P 

* ^c> e 

4 4^ * 



■♦. ~-V\...V* 

♦ 


0 ^ ^ «. 

•' «y <- + 

0*0° ■$ o 

s * * '- \> y * * a o„ "C' <0* % s * 0 '* * ^ 

a * * 54 * * ** ' «■* 

%/ : : _ , 

o . \ V 0 7///W\\\r ^ c 

,♦ ^ ^ »y^^‘ >■ 

o, '-r.i* A <* '».»» .0 V 

0 •* o , ^o jV . •> ' • * <^A ,QT o’ 

'^o 4 •« ft *b> i *— 4 • * 


*P* a* K j 

° c,v * 

: ** «? ° 





^ 0 

> ^ *^SSli2*% o °<* 

- w/- f * ^ o 

*V ‘'"’* „^° ... . V °*° A 4, 




♦ « 


V>> 4*^ 


*P>. Ap" 1 

^ V ° 

< V ^ * 

/ ^ ^ °° 


0* % S /^L% '<> V r » " • °^ ^ 





/ J’ 4 *> -c A *0,** 



o V 



rt 4 W 0 " o *^U 
0 cV o o 


- -^o 4 




^ 4*^ “ 












JOSH CANZY’S EXPERIENCE 


What He Saw, and What Use He 
Made- Of It. 




WILLIAM A. MORRISON. 

\\ 





BOSTON: 

THE BARTA PRESS, 144 HIGH STREET, 
1897. 



c 

c 


Copyright , z^, 

r\\' 

BY W. A. MORRISON. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — His Home Life . . 7 

II. — His Journey and Arrival 11 

III. — His Trip to Cambridge and Return ... 20 

IV. — Boston’s Public Buildings ....... 39 

V. — Some Churches and Parks 47 

VI. — Josh at Mr. Tenny’s Office 1 . 55 

VII. — His Trip to Charlestown 64 

VIII. — Introduction to His Associates .... 76 

IX. — Josh Becomes More Acquainted .... 84 

X. — His Visit to the Young Men’s Christian 

Temperance Union 92 

XI. — Josh’s and Eph’s Sisters Make Many Pleas- 

ant Trips 106 

XII. — Mary at the Branch Library 117 

XIII. — Mary as an Assistant 123 

XIV. — Mary Visits Mr. Tenny’s Home .... 129 

XV. — The Party Goes to Vermont 135 

XVI. — Pleasant Times in Vermont 141 

XVII. — A Trip to Newport 158 

XVIII. — Their Return to. Business ....... 164 



JOSH CANZY’S EXPERIENCE. 


CHAPTER I. 


HIS HOME LIFE AND DEPARTURE FOR BOSTON. 



OSH CANZY, the hero of our story, was 


^ born in a small hamlet near the Canadian 
line, in the town of Holland. It is not laid down 
on the maps, but was usually known as the 
“ Corners.” His early life was filled with the 
experiences incident to a rugged boy, who was 
ever on the alert to see every point of advantage 
in connection with either play or work. He, 
being the first-born, was necessarily with his 
father, as he became stronger and more able to 
assist in the management of the farm. His 
parents being poor, his opportunities for educa- 
tion were very limited in that sparsely settled 
region. But he learned to read when quite 
young, and was encouraged by his parents to 
read all the good books at his command. As 
he grew older it was necessary for him to do 
more to assist his father, as the growing family 
demanded the efforts of all that could help. 


8 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


Brothers and sisters were coming up to fill his 
place, so he felt he must be preparing the course 
of his future life. The more he thought and 
read of city life and business, the more he 
thought and felt that his opportunity was to be 
in that direction. When he became of age his 
ambitious spirit prompted him to make an effort 
to get the means together to go to a large city 
in quest of practical business information, which 
would lead to prosperity. He hhd been blessed 
with parents with correct moral and religious 
principles, who had sought to give their children 
proper training that would lead to an honest 
and respected course of life. They did all that 
it was possible for them to do with their humble 
surroundings, and were satisfied that their son 
was determined to succeed. Fortunately, in 
furtherance of their plans, a Mr. Joseph Tenny, 
who was a schoolboy with Mr. Canzy at New- 
port, was visiting his childhood home, and was 
about to return to Boston. He met his old 
friend at the sfation, and in the course of the 
conversation Mr. Canzy expressed a desire to 
have Josh go to Boston and see if he could get 
into some business. Mr. Tenny remarked that 


HIS HOME LIFE. 


9 


he had met Josh several times when visiting 
Newport, and noticed what a bright and wide- 
awake fellow he was, and had heard much of 
him and the good reputation he bore, and that 
he should be much pleased to take him with 
him on his return, and would use his influence 
in getting him a suitable situation. 

Accordingly, plans were made to, meet him at 
the station on the following Tuesday. They 
were all glad to make so favorable an arrange- 
ment. At the appointed time his father and 
he took an early start, for it was about fifteen 
miles from their home to the station, and the road 
was none to good. Josh’s mother had carefully 
prepared his wardrobe, and packed it carefully 
away in his trunk, and they were ready to start. 
It was with deep heart pangs that he bid his 
dear mother, brothers, and sisters good-by. The 
two younger were not old enough to realize that 
Josh was going away for a long time, possibly 
that they might not all meet again, but he had 
a stout spirit, and appeared as cheerful as pos- 
sible. He gave them all a parting kiss, the 
dear mother a long embrace, for her first-born 
was especially dear to her. She gave him a 


IO JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

parting blessing as he stepped into the wagon, 
they immediately started, and were soon lost to 
view amid the trees of the winding roadside. 
The morning was beautiful in early August, 
and the drive was very pleasant. It was hardly 
necessary that his father should give him ad- 
vice at this time. His whole life had been a 
gradual schooling in good advice and discipline. 
He had always held the profoundest respect for 
his father’s advice and counsel. Their journey 
to the cars was made as pleasant and as cheer- 
ful as possible. 

They arrived at the station in ample time. 
Mr. Tenny soon appeared, and saluted them 
with a cordial greeting, and after making ar- 
rangements about tickets and baggage, they 
were ready to start as soon as the train arrived. 
It was with deep sorrow that Josh pressed his 
father’s hand for the last time. They did not 
know how long it might be, but each hoped to 
meet the other in joy another year. They 
parted with the father’s many blessings, assured 
in the love of a dutiful boy. The train had 
just then arrived, and Mr. Tenny and Josh 
took their seats, and the train started. 


CHAPTER II. 


HIS JOURNEY, ARRIVAL, A NEW FRIEND, AND 
HIS IMPRESSIONS OF THE CITY. 

COR a short time Josh was absorbed in his 
A own thoughts, but the kindness of his 
companion, and the intelligence with which he 
managed to interest him in conversation gradu- 
ally succeeded in drawing him away from him- 
self, and in the novelty of the situation (as this 
was the first time he had ever traveled on the 
cars any distance) he began to realize that he 
was fast leaving the place where he was born, 
and had grown up to manhood. He was much 
interested in the scenery, at first monotonous 
and level, but a very good farming region. 
The meadows were nearly ready for the mowing 
machine, the crop of grass looked fine and 
promised abundance, oats and other grains 
looked very favorable. 

They were now approaching Central Ver- 
mont. The Green Mountains, with Mount 


ii 


12 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


Mansfield towering above the rest, were fast 
coming into view. Their varied grandeur made 
a deep impression on his mind, as he had never 
seen anything of the kind before, for the sur- 
roundings of his home were very level except in 
the vicinity of the lake at Newport. They 
rapidly sped away towards the Connecticut, and 
passing St. Johnsbury, noted for its Fairbanks 
scale industry, the principal business of the town, 
they crossed the Connecticut about twenty-five 
miles below St. Johnsbury into New Hampshire. 
Journeying southward and passing Concord and 
Plymouth, with Mount Washington in prominent 
view, they soon reached the southern end of 
Lake Winnepesaukee, the most charming sheet 
of water in New England, interspersed with its 
beautiful islands. They skirted its delightful 
shores for several miles, the sinking sun casting 
its golden glimmer upon its glassy surface with its 
wonderful effect, then struck the Merrimac some 
miles above Manchester and followed its course 
of dams, and waterfalls, and rapids, its bordering 
cities, towns, and villages, which contain more 
spindles revolved by its rushing waters than by 
any other stream within the same distance upon 


HIS JOURNEY AND ARRIVAL . 13 

the globe. They pass Nashua and Lowell, the 
latter and largest city devoted to the manu- 
facture of textile goods in the United States. 
Not much of the city is visible from the train. 
The river turns from Lowell towards the sea. 
If they could tarry at the latter city and see the 
dams and rapids, Hunt’s Falls below the city, 
the system of canals to supply water to the mills, 
the wonderful productions of the mills, and its 
machinery, two thirds of which is propelled 
with steam power, the picturesque ravine through 
which the rapids pass, studded with forest trees, 
near the junction of the Concord River, afford- 
ing a grand scene, it would be delightful, but 
they hastened on and reached the 4 4 Hub ” about 
9.30 P. M. 

The streets were brilliantly lighted with elec- 
tric lights, which were all new to Josh. He 
reached his boarding house at the West End by 
the aid of his friend, who made arrangements 
for him to make his home there for the present, 
after having agreed to meet him in the morning. 
Josh thanked him for his great kindness and 
bade him a cordial good night. He was happy 
in the thought that he had found so good and 


14 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

kind a friend to give him so favorable a start in 
a strange city, and he looked forward with hope 
and high resolve that he might have a success- 
ful business career, and happy life. After par- 
taking of a light supper, he was glad to seek 
his bed. On the morrow he was up betimes, 
feeling well and bouyant in spirits, and having 
been in the cars all the day before, he felt like 
taking a short walk before breakfast ; not that 
he required any exercise to give him an appetite, 
for fortunately he had been favored with a very 
good one. His boarding place was located on 
Temple Street. From there he went up the hill, 
and about the first building that met his eye was 
the new State House extension, which he had 
read something about in the weekly papers that 
he had access to at times at home ; and when the 
dome of the “ Bulfinch Front” stood out so 
plainly, and the common came in view, he knew 
something about it and the locality, but as the 
breakfast hour was near at hand, he hastened 
back. 

Mr. Tenny came in soon after he arose from 
the table and introduced him to a young man as 
Ephraim Sawyer, whom he could commend as 


HIS JOURNEY AND ARRIVAL . 15 

good company, and who would show him about 
the city, and with him visit the most prominent 
points of interest. 

They took an electric car run by the Great 
Rapid Transit Company. As they were riding 
along from the city towards the beautiful suburbs, 
Eph spoke up and said, 4 4 How do you like the 
appearance of all these things ? ” 

44 Well, I declare if this ere don’t beat all,” 
said Josh. They were now approaching the 
new subway at the foot of the common, near 
Park Square. 44 I’d just like to know,” says 
Josh, “what in earth thar trying to do with 
them ar great awkard-looking things thar 
burroughing in the ground and rooting out that 
powerful lot of dirt and stones and carrin’ it off 
and filling up them mighty purty hollows and 
kivering up all that green, and hacking off all 
them big limbs away from them fine old elms 
and other trees. What in creation does it all 
mean, Eph?” 

44 Why, Josh, that is the Public Garden and 
the Boston Common, and they are building the 
new subway.” 

44 You don’t say that is Boston Common,” re- 


1 6 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

plied Josh. “I’ve heerd all about that ever 
since I can remember, reading all about it in the 
Youth's Companion when. I was a child, and 
saw a little of it this morning, and they be 
spilin’ it, covering it all up with dirt and stones 
an’ digging this big hole out where all those grand 
trees are and am killing them, an’ spilin’ all them 
fine walks. I declare, Eph, it is too bad.” 

“ I know, Josh, it does seem too bad, but they 
say they will make the common look more 
beautiful than ever, and set out new trees, and 
then ! ” 

“ I know, Eph, but the new trees ain’t the 
hundred-year-old ones.” 

“True, Josh, but they will run the electric 
cars under the ground in this hole, and cover it 
all up with stone, brick, and steel arches, and 
make a street on top, and perhaps the great elec- 
tric company will have tracks there, too. They 
will have to take the tracks from the streets, and 
that may be an excuse for it. What right have 
them great electric company to do that, Eph ? ” 

“Oh, they are powerful, Josh! They do 
about as they please. They do not pay for the 
use of the streets (unlike any other cities in this 


HIS JOURNEY AND ARRIVAL. 17 

country, who all pay a tax for the use of the 
streets), but for they are private corporations and 
generally derive a revenue from such a use, and 
why should not the Great Rapid Transit, you 
might ask as well. Of course they should. 
But if they want anything more than they have, 
they petition to the city and State authorities, 
and if they do not get it in that way, they have 
plenty of the needful to get it in some other way 
that may be necessary for their purpose. Per- 
haps an appeal to the great and general court 
might help them in some cases, but that does not 
always work to their satisfaction, however 
eloquently it may have been presented.” 

“ You don’t say,” interrupted Josh. “ Is that 
the way the thing is done? Wall! Wall! If 
that don’t beat all. Why don’t the dear people 
rise up in rebellion, as they did in the times of 
James Otis, John Hancock, and General Warren, 
and that host of wild fellows, that made the 
party that thro’d the tea into Boston Harbor and 
made a tea-pot of it? I should think the old 
Cradle of Liberty would rock until the rotten 
tower would come down with a crash, bell and 
all, and the very stones in State Street would 


1 8 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

start up like daggers on the spot where the first 
blood was shed in behalf of liberty in America ; 
and the lanterns on old Christ Church tower 
would blaze out as of old, not with dim and 
feeble light, but with bright electric blaze every 
night to warn thousands of Paul Reveres to fly 
to arms against such bold and wicked usurpa- 
tions. Even the cold granite shaft of Bunker 
Hill, which stands like the rocks of the neighbor- 
ing coasts, resisting against the eastern blasts or 
westerly gales, would make some outcry. I 
should think skeletons of the long line of Revolu- 
tionary heroes would appear at the high win- 
dows of that shaft to warn the people to uphold 
their just and lawful rights. And should the 
work of the past generation (a few only now 
living) of noble men and women who reared 
that shaft have all their labor lost? If good 
government is to be invaded and the rights of 
the great majority are to be trampled upon with 
impunity by a giant corporation under the guise 
of a legal monopoly, claimed for the good of 
the public, of what use, then, are our boasts of 
free institutions, and the land of liberty? ” 

4 ‘ Well, Josh, you have given us a pretty 


HIS JOURNEY AND ARRIVAL. 19 

good and decided statement of the matter for a 
green country boy. It is getting late, and we 
must find our way home.” 

Josh was glad to seek his bed soon after a 
light supper, for he and his friend had partaken 
of a “square meal ” at noon, which had always 
been his habit as well as that of friend Eph. 
Eat a light supper, retire early, then sleep 
refreshes and invigorates the body. Rise early, 
eat a hearty breakfast, with sufficient rest before 
going to labors of the day, a good wholesome 
dinner, not eaten in a hurry, with a short rest 
after, even if an express is taken very soon, or 
light labor engaged in, no tonics are required or 
stimulates necessary in a healthy body and con- 
stitution. Josh and Eph were both good speci- 
mens of healthy young men, of good habits, both 
having been reared in the country, Eph having 
lived in the city about five years, being two 
years the elder of Josh. 


CHAPTER III. 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE, AND HIS RETURN. 

HEN Eph made his appearance the next 



* ’ morning, about 8 a. m., Josh was all 
ready to start. It being early in September, 
the weather was delightful for travel and ob- 
servation. It was decided to take a trip to Cam- 
bridge by the way of Harvard Bridge. Their 
course was, part of the way, the same as the 
day before: From the Public Garden all was 
new. In going up Boylston Street, they passed 
the Natural History Building on the right, also 
Institute of Technology on the left, Trinity 
Church (where the noble Christian minister, 
Phillips Brooks, held the hearts of his people, 
and when he became bishop, the whole com- 
munity had learned to love him). 

The Art Museum and the New Public 
Library, all these buildings Josh would liked 
to have visited, but there was no time for that 
now. Eph explained to him their different 


20 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 


21 


purposes and uses. At the corner of Columbus 
Avenue and Berkeley Street is the Youth's 
Companion Building. The paper will be well re- 
membered by nearly every educated child that 
has lived in this country for the past seventy 
years. This was not their route, but Eph said 
they would go and examine it some other time. 
As they passed the lower end of the Back Bay 
Fens, all at once Josh shouted out: — 

“Wall, Eph, what’s all those spruce and 
pine trees yonder with the patches of water here 
and there, it looks like the lakes filled with little 
islands like as we have at home. I say, Eph, 
I want to get out and take a tramp through 
those woods and brushes.” 

“So we will, Josh,” said Eph, “right here 
at Commonwealth Avenue.” 

They stepped from the car, taking care not 
to do so before the car stopped (as the Great 
Rapid Transit does not pay any damages for in- 
jury, if a passenger steps off before the car 
stopped, and they always try to -prove that 
point ). 

Having started up the avenue, about the 
first object that struck the eyes of Josh was 


22 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

the bronze statue of Leif Ericson. “What 
is that man standing there for, holding his left 
hand over his eyes and looking forward in the 
distance ? ” 

Eph told him that it was the great Norse 
navigator that was said to be the first dis- 
coverer of America, about the year 1000, and 
that he landed at what is now Cambridge, on 
the Charles River, near the Cambridge Hos- 
pital. Therp is a stone tablet enclosed within 
an iron fence at that point stating the fact, 
which has been placed there by the heirs of 
Professor Hosford at his request. 

“Wall, I’d like to see it,” said Josh. 

“ Perhaps you will,” said his companion. 

They started up the avenue further, and very 
soon were among the bushes and trees. 

“ They’ve got these pesky signs around,” says 
Josh, that says, ‘ Keep off the grass borders .’ 
They won’t let a fellow roam around and enjoy 
himself, nor lie down and rest, nor pick off 
berries and flowers. How came all this here, 
did it grow itself? ” 

“ This was once all water and salt marshes,” 
said Eph. “ It has taken a great deal of time, 


MIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE . 


n 


money, and wise planning to bring this all 
about. The water you see was a part of what 
is called Back Bay, which at this point was 
very wide. A few of the oldest inhabitants of 
Boston now living can remember when the 
tide flowed each side of Washington Street, 
which was called Boston Neck, which was 
located at what is now called Dover Street. All 
the low land you see about here and the sur- 
rounding territory has been filled in by dredg- 
ing from flats of the bay, and covered on top 
with gravel brought in cars ten or fifteen miles 
from the country. Three quarters of old Bos- 
ton has been made in this way, some of the 
finest buildings of the city have been built on 
this land. The late ex-Governor Ames’s beau- 
tiful brown-stone residence stands at the corner 
of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues, 
just opposite where we entered the Fens. By 
the way, Massachusetts Avenue is a continua- 
tion of Broad Avenue, from Dorchester to Bos- 
ton, Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, Con- 
cord (where Paul Revere rode the night before 
the battles at the latter towns, April 19, 1875), 
thus on to Lowell, forty miles. But,” continued 


24 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

Eph, “ I think we had better resume our jour- 
ney to Cambridge, so we will take the electric 
car, not forgetting the precaution not to get on 
the car until it stops.” 

The approach to Harvard Bridge is very 
pleasant; the Mt. Vernon Church on the right, 
at the corner of Beacon Street, is a fine, com- 
modious structure, of rough buff stone with 
darker trimmings. From the bridge is a very 
fine view. On the right is seen Charlestown, with 
Bunker Hill Monument rising majestically from 
the summit of the hill. East Cambridge, with 
numerous chimneys, denotes it a manufacturing 
center, the tallest chimney being at the power 
house of the Electric Company. This chimney 
is 230 feet high, and was built by the New Eng- 
land Glass Company, which was organized 
nearly one hundred years ago. On the left are 
the hills of Brookline. This town rejoices in 
the enjoyment of an independent town govern- 
ment, of which they are very proud. Next 
comes Brighton, and when they were annexed 
to Boston about twenty years ago, they were 
isolated from the city and had to get a bill from 
the legislature to compel Brookline to sell 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 25 

Boston sufficient land to enable them to com- 
municate with their own city. Charles River 
makes a beautiful winding course between its 
banks. Cambridge is seen all the way on the 
right. Many of its beautiful residences and the 
public buildings are seen as one rides along up 
Massachusetts Avenue. The most prominent is 
the new City Hall. They were now nearing the 
college grounds and buildings. 44 What is that 
old-fashioned, country-looking building on the 
right ? ” said Josh. 

4 4 That is the Wadsworth House, built in 1820, 
for the residence of the college presidents. We 
will get out here,” said Eph. 

Nearly opposite the Wadsworth House, at the 
corner of Dunster Street, is the spot where the 
first printing press in British America was 
started by Stephen Daye, in 1638, who lived 
here until 1668. They started and walked 
through the college grounds ; this portion is 
called the quadrangle. Many of the majestic 
elms are more than one hundred and fifty years 
old, the space is surrounded with buildings. At 
the south end is Gray, built in 1863. All these 
buildings are called halls, and are used for 


2 6 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


dormitories, except the stone building on the 
right called University, built in 1812, which is 
used for offices and recitations, the basement for 
steam and boiler plant, and printing office. 
Next to Gray on the right is Weld, built in 1871 ; 
on the left is Mathews, built in 1871 ; the next on 
the left, Massachusetts, the oldest college building 
standing, built in 1720 ; the next on the left, Har- 
vard, built in 1764 ; Stoughton, built in 1810 ; next 
on the left, Hollis, built the same year. In the 
rear of these two is Holden Chapel, built in 1740 ; 
next across the north end of quadrangle is Hol- 
worthy, built in 1 740. The late governor Edward 
Everett had a room in this building while in 
college. On the east^side opposite Stoughton is 
Thayer, built in 1870, by Nathaniel Thayer, in 
memory of his father, Nathaniel Thayer, D. D., 
and his brother, John Eliot Thayer. These 
comprise all the buildings surrounding the 
quadrangle. East of Thayer is Appleton 
Chapel, built in 1857 ; southeast of the chapel 
is a large, costly building called Sever Hall, built 
in 1880 nearly entirely of brick, many fine 
carvings being cut in the projecting brickwork 
after the bricks were laid in the walls. It is 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 27 

used for lecture rooms and recitations. On the 
opposite side of Appleton Chapel, at the south 
end of the large, open lawn with many old, 
beautiful trees, is the college library building, a 
fine Gothic granite structure, built in 1838. A 
wing was added in 1874, the whole known as 
Gore Hall. It is difficult to detect the difference 
in age between the two portions. Next to this, 
at the west side, is Boylston Chemical Laboratory 
which covers part of the lot where the Rev. 
Thomas Hooker lived in 1633, the first minister 
of Newtowne, as then called. Opposite the 
north side of Appleton Chapel, fronting on Cam- 
bridge Street, is the Fogg Art Museum, built in 
1895. Nearly opposite the Fogg Museum, at 
the junction of Cambridge and Kirkland Streets, 
is Memorial Hall and grounds, a magnificent 
building costing about $750,000, began in 1871, 
the whole structure completed in 1873. It was 
built in honor of the sons of Harvard who were 
killed in the Civil War. On the east end is 
Sanders Theater, a very- fine auditorium for 
lectures, concerts, operas, and other college 
purposes, and on each side of the vestibule are 
inscribed on marble tablets the names of the 


28 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


fallen heroes, to which class they belonged, and 
the battles in which they were engaged at the 
time of their death. The large hall is sur- 
rounded on its walls with fine old portraits of 
the early presidents, professors, and early donors 
to the college. It is used as a dining room for 
students and also for class day, commencement, 
and other public services connected with the 
University. In the triangle at the north end of 
Memorial Hall is a bronze statue of John Har- 
vard, the founder of the college, sitting in an 
ancient armchair, looking westward ; next, 
west of Memorial Hall on Kirkland Street, is 
the Lawrence Scientific School, built in 1848 ; 
then comes the Hemenway Gymnasium, a 
magnificent building. 

Passing up north (or Massachusetts Avenue, 
as it is now called), near the junction of Cam- 
bridge Street, is Holmes Place, the spot where 
Oliver Wendell Holmes was born; opposite is 
the Austin Law School ; „a short distance to the 
east is the Physical Laboratory. 

Crossing Oxford Street is Agassiz Museum. 
Here are the Blasckha collections of glass 
models, the most wonderful specimens of art 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE-. 


29 


ever produced, a perfect imitation of botanical 
specimens in great variety in their different form 
and color, from the seed to the fully developed 
plant. Other parts of the museum are devoted 
to different branches of natural history in great 
variety, including fishes, shells, birds, etc., in 
which the elder Agassiz was so deeply interested 
and which he made his life study. 

Further up Oxford Street are Perkins and 
Conant Halls used as dormitories. On the 
opposite side of Oxford Street are Homes and 
Jarvis fields, noted for ball games. Returning 
by the Agassiz Museum, one comes to Peabody 
Museum, filled with many interesting objects. 
On the opposite is the Divinity School and 
Library near by. On the west side, surrounded 
by ancient trees, is the home of Dr. J. G. Pal- 
frey, the pioneer in the free soil movement 
which gave birth to the Republican party. 

On the east side of Divinity Avenue will be 
seen the Divinity School, and beyond is Norton’s 
Woods, and the home of Professor Norton rising 
above the trees. The walk up Divinity Avenue 
between the double row of noble trees is delight- 
ful. 


30 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

Turning to the right, passing the gymna- 
sium, one comes to Hastings Hall, a beautiful 
building used as a dormitory; nearly opposite 
is Cambridge Common, in which stands the 
statue of John Bridge, the Puritan, one of 
the earliest settlers of Cambridge ; and near 
the other end of the common is the soldiers’ 
monument. 

On the opposite side of the street from the 
common is the Shepard Congregational Church. 
This parish was the outgrowth of Thomas 
Hooker’s parish, he having early removed to 
Hartford, Conn. Directly opposite the corner 
are the buildings of Radcliffe College for 
women, and near them on Garden Street stands 
the Washington Elm, beneath which, on July 3, 
I 775, Washington took command of the Ameri- 
can army. Continuing down Garden Street 
toward Harvard Square on the right is Christ 
Church, built in 1760 (Washington attended 
this church while his headquarters were in Cam- 
bridge), and adjoining the church grounds is the 
oldest cemetery in Cambridge, many of the 
oldest citizens being buried there. A monument 
is erected here to commemorate the heroes who 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 31 

lived in Cambridge and were killed at the battle 
of Lexington. 

Next to the cemetery stands the meeting 
house built by the First Parish Society, in 
1833. Continuing through Harvard Square to 
Brattle Street (at this point comes in Boylston 
Street), which was the first starting point to 
Boston over the first bridge that was built over 
the Charles River. There is a stone tablet 
(placed in Cambridge Cemetery for preserva- 
tion), on which is inscribed, “Direct road to 
Boston, eight and one half miles, 1708.” This 
road goes over the river through Brighton, 
Brookline, Roxbury, down Washington Street, 
over what was formerly the neck (at about 
Dover Street), to the old State House, at the 
head of State Street. The distance now from 
the same point over Craigie’s Bridge, through 
East Cambridge, is three and one fourth miles. 
Beginning at Brattle Street, near Harvard 
Square, one passes up Brattle Street. Here are 
many old residences, built about the time of the 
Revolution. Their occupants were many of 
them patriots, and not a few Tories, as they 
were called. The most prominent building is 


32 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

the Vassell House, standing near Ash Street, 
and the owner was the most prominent Tory 
of that time. 

Nearly opposite, at the junction of Mason 
and Brattle Street, is the Episcopal Theological 
School. The most prominent building is the 
St. John’s Memorial Chapel, built in com- 
memoration of the Mason family. Other build- 
ings of the group (all are built of stone) are 
Lawrence and Winthrop Halls, a library, a 
refectory, lecture rooms, and several other small 
buildings. At the right of the chapel is the 
Deanery, built by Dean Gray, and presented 
to the seminary by Mrs. Gray, as a memorial 
to her husband. 

Proceeding up Brattle Street a short distance, 
next to the seminary, is the beautiful residence 
of Bishop Lawrence, who was formerly Dean of 
the Seminary. Immediately adjoining is the 
Longfellow residence (Washington’s head- 
quarters), now occupied by his daughter, Miss 
Longfellow. Opposite is seen the Longfellow 
Gardens, giving a beautiful and extended view 
across the Charles River, and the hills of Brook- 
line, Brighton, and Allston. 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 


33 


Further up, following the noble line of elms, 
are old residences, some of them about two 
hundred years old. From the top of Lake View 
Avenue is seen in the distance Fresh Pond, 
where Cambridge gets a portion of its water 
supply. The surrounding towns of Arlington, 
Belmont, and Waverly, also Mt. Auburn and 
Cambridge Cemeteries, are distinctly seen. 

When this point was reached, Josh said : 
“ Look a-here, Eph, I’ve seen about as much as 
I can stand fur one day ; ’spose we push for hum.” 

“Agreed,” said Eph. “We will walk down 
and take a Mt. Auburn and Harvard Square 
car, and change to Cambridge Street line.” 

“ Pd like to go to Mt. Auburn,” says Josh, 
“ Pve heerd so much about it, but can’t, it’s too 
late.” 

A car stopped, and they got aboard ; it ran 
along the bank of the river the most of the 
way. 

Josh remarked that “the smell was purty 
strong.” He liked “ the smell of the marshes very 
well, but there was something else, ’twant so 
good.” Eph suggested that it was the sewerage, 
put they would get rid of that very soon by using 


34 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

the Metropolitan Sewerage System. Josh said 
he hoped they would; he had “ heerd of it.” 

They passed the University Press, both new 
and old buildings, the latter looking rather 
shabby, as they were beginning to tear it down. 
It had been used by the Press for a great many 
years, the building was built for a hotel, and 
used for that purpose for several years, but it did 
not prove latterly much of a success. It was 
then leased to the University Press Company, 
and the name of John Wilson & Son became 
widely known throughout the publishing world. 
Their new buildings make a fine appearance, 
and are considered to be well adapted to the 
business. 

Arriving at the Square, the travelers and 
sight-seers took a Cambridge Street car, passing 
by the grounds of the college, Memorial Hall, 
Quincy Street, the southeastern border of the 
college grounds, where the president and many 
of the professors reside. On the corner of 
Quincy and Broadway is the house of Professor 
Agassiz. 

Near by is Felton Street, the northwest border 
of the property formerly owned by the late 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE . 35 

S. B. Rindge, whom many of the Cambridge 
boys now about seventy years of age will 
remember as a schoolmate. Mr. Rindge w r as a 
wealthy dry goods merchant of Boston. He 
left school when about fifteen years old to take 
a position as a boy in the store of Parker & 
Wilder in Boston. He was in that firm until 
his death, in the summer of 1883. After his 
death the property fell into the hands of his only 
son. 

Mr. Frederick Rindge lives in California, and 
has given to the city of Cambridge all of this 
property bounded by Cambridge Street, Broad- 
way, Felton, and Ellery Streets. There is some 
private property at the corner of Cambridge and 
Trowbridge Streets, and also at the corner of 
Cambridge and Ellery Streets. The group of 
buildings seen first, beginning on Felton Street, 
is the Manual Training School, which Mr. 
Rindge has managed for eight years at his own 
expense. 

The next group is the Public Library, with 
the land occupying the space between Irving 
and Trowbridge Streets, extending from Cam- 
bridge Street south to Broadway, then comes 


36 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


the English High School, which was built by 
the city, the most of the lot being furnished by 
Mr. Rindge. 

There is not much of special interest on the 
way to Boston, except that some of the residences 
in the vicinity of Dana Hill are very pleasant. 
As one approaches East Cambridge, it being a 
manufacturing center, the population becomes 
more numerous and apartment houses increase 
in number. There is a very pleasant little park 
on the right, just before one reaches East Cam- 
bridge, which gives relief to the surroundings, 
and pure air for the multitude of children in the 
neighborhood. The river is crossed by Craigie’s 
Bridge, and another small park, called Charles 
Bank, gives a chance for pure air amusement to 
the thousands living in the vicinity. As they 
proceeded they noticed the crowded condition of 
the narrow streets, the occupants seeking their 
homes after the labors of the day. 

The teams hurrying along in a reckless 
manner to make all the time possible ; the cars 
packed with people between and on the seats ; 
the running boards of the cars filled with men 
standing, accidents and blockades frequently 


HIS TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE. 


37 


occurring, nearly every day some one injured, 
oftentimes several, it seems almost impossible at 
times to make any progress. This is called 
rapid transit ! And these are only a few of 
the many evils incident to the surface trolley 
system. Eph said to Josh, “ The company has 
given to the public in the last eight years a 
great variety of routes into Boston from the 
suburban towns, at a less rate of fare, for a 
longer distance traveled for the same fare, but 
at the sacrifice of vexatious delays to the 
travelers, pedestrians, carriages, teams, and 
general business, the streets often torn up, and 
a stoppage of all traffic frequently for a great 
length of time, and all this without any gain in 
time in reaching many points ; and the worst of 
all, many serious accidents, and not a few fatal 
ones, have been the result.” 

While passing through Haymarket Square 
the trolley wire of the line on which they were 
running broke. That, of course, produced a 
serious block, as several lines crossed and inter- 
sected at that point. Very soon an emergency 
wagon arrived, ladders went up quickly, men 
soon mounted to make temporary repairs, which 


38 JOSH CANZY’S EXPERIENCE. 

were soon completed, and in about thirty minutes 
the cars were again moving. A gentleman 
remarked that was quick work. Another said, 
“Yes, the Electric Rapid Transit are ready for 
any emergency, whether for repairs, or a doctor, 
lawyer, or witness. They can meet any case, 
when their financial interest is at stake.” 

How true that may be, those that have had 
experience with them in that line can readily 
testify. 

They arrived at their abiding place tired and 
hungry. After having refreshed themselves 
inwardly and outwardly, and talked over their 
plans for the morrow, they were glad to bid each 
other good night. 


CHAPTER IV. 


SOMETHING ABOUT BOSTON’S PUBLIC BUILDINGS 
AND OLD LANDMARKS. 



PH arrived in good season in the morning, 


^ and both were soon ready to take a car at 
the corner of Beacon and Tremont Streets, at 
the site of the old Tremont House, one of 
Boston’s famous hostelries. “ I should think it 
was mighty risky,” says Josh, “ putting up 
sich a high spider-looking thing as that ar 
buildin’.” 

“ Oh, that is all the rage now,” says Eph, 
“the modern idea.” 

“Yes, some of them modern ideas will come 
to grief if they don’t stop trying to git up among 
the clouds in these narrow alleys. What is’t 
they call them ? ” 

“ Sky-scrapers,” says Eph. 

“ I should think they were. How in the 
name of creation and common sense can people 
git out of those top floors in case of fire below, 


39 


4 ° 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


and them things they call elevators should git 
out of fix, and couldn’t be made to work?” 

“There are fire-escapes,” says Eph. 

“ How many could get down them narrer 
things alive, with the flames pouring out of the 
windows and the blinding smoke filling the 
air, they suffocating and stumbling over each 
other? And besides, half of them would be 
so frightened that they would jump and kill 
themselves. I guess they’d git nuff of it arter 
awhile.” 

“ Do you see that immense building on the other 
corner ? ” says Eph, to change the subject. ‘ ‘ That 
is filled with all kinds of dry goods, house-keep- 
ing utensils, and all sorts of notions, to meet the 
wants of the great mass of the community. 
The enterprising proprietors have spared no 
expense and energy to fill that demand. 

“ On the opposite corner is King’s Chapel and 
Burying Ground, where is buried Governor 
Winthrop and many of the old residents that 
lived before the Revolution.” 

“ On the opposite corner is the Parker House, 
a noted hotel. There is a very good story told 
about a stranger that never visited Boston before. 


BOSTON'S PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 41 

He put up at the Tremont House, and as he 
arrived in the night, did not notice the surround- 
ings. When he arose in the morning, upon 
looking out of the window he saw nothing but 
tombstones. He went down to the office and 
told the clerk he must have another room, as he 
did not like to see a line of gravestones as soon 
as he was out of bed. The clerk kindly gave 
him a nice room on the corner of Tremont and 
Beacon Streets. He went to bed very cheerful, 
much pleased with the change ; in the morning 
upon looking out, he saw King’s Chapel Bury- 
ing Ground with its numerous old stones. He 
was somewhat stirred up, and told the clerk he 
must leave. Accordingly he went to the Parker 
House. They gave him a pleasant room front, 
but in the morning there was the same old view 
of the tombstones. He went to the landlord 
this time, he said he must have a quiet room 
that did not look out upon a graveyard. The 
landlord said he would give him a nice room in 
the rear wing ; but to the man’s sorrow, the first 
thing he gazed upon in the morning was several 
lines of gravestones. He went to the clerk and 
said Boston must be a very unhealthy place, for 


4 2 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


it seemed to be all graveyards, and he should 
leave the city.” 

They walked down School Street; on the 
left is the City Hall, a large, homely building, 
which has had a good many additions and 
serves the city fathers very well. In the front, 
on the left, is the bronze statue of Benjamin 
Franklin; on the right is that of Josiah Quincy, 
the elder, a shrewd, honorable business man, 
and one of Boston’s best mayors ; at the corner 
of School and Washington Streets is the old 
corner bookstore, built in 1712, and still used 
as a bookstore. Nearly opposite, at the corner 
of Milk Street, stands the Old South Church, 
built more than one hundred and fifty years 
ago, and opposite the church on Milk Street 
is the spot where Benjamin Franklin was born. 
At the corner of Devonshire Street is the 
Boston Post-Office and Sub-Treasury Building, 
the corner stone of which was laid by Gen- 
eral Grant, who was then President. At the 
great fire of 1872, this building, then unfin- 
ished, served as a barrier, and prevented the 
fire from crossing Washington Street. It went 
around the Old South, burning both sides and 


BOSTON'S PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 43 

in the rear, and left it unharmed amid the des- 
olation. 

They now retraced their steps to Tremont 
Street to take the cars. On the left, opposite 
the cemetery (where Benjamin Franklin’s father 
and mother are buried), is the site of the old 
Tremont Theater. About fifty years ago it was 
altered to a church, and was called Tremont 
Temple; and as it had a fine auditorium it 
was used largely for lectures, public meetings, 
political gatherings, besides church purposes 
for the Tremont Temple Baptist Society, under 
Rev. Dr. Colver for a number of years. It then 
took fire and burned down, and a new one was built 
on the same site, larger and more commodious, 
and Rev. Dr. Lorimer came soon after as their 
pastor, who has been very popular and efficient as 
a leader in every good word and work. That build- 
ing has been twice destroyed by fire, and has re- 
cently been rebuilt, and is the most beautiful and 
convenient building in Boston for the purpose. 
On our right is Park Street Church, noted in 
olden times for being the center of Calvinistic 
orthodoxy, but it became very much modified 
under the teachings of Rev. William H. Murray. 


44 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

The common now appears before us again, 
with the unfinished subway. On the corner of 
Temple Place is the site of the old Masonic 
Temple. From there to the corner of Boylston 
Street, fifty years ago, Tremont Street was oc- 
cupied exclusively by private residences, many 
of them the homes of the doctors of those days. 
Rev. Dr. William E. Channing resided on Mt. 
Vernon St., this story is told of him. The good 
man was called out of his bed one very cold night 
by a person who wanted a physician very much ; 
after hearing his caller’s statement, he said : — 

“Ah! you want my brother Walter, who 
lives a few doors beyond. I preach, but he 
practises ! ” 

At the corner of Boylston and Tremont 
Streets is the latest built Masonic Temple, the 
most beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture 
in Boston. The interior was nearly destroyed 
by fire soon after the Masonic display of last 
year. 

It is supposed that the fire may have taken 
from some of the electric wires used in the illu- 
minations. It is as yet undecided whether to 
rebuild here, or in another locality. 


CHAPTER V. 


SOME OF THE CHURCHES, SMALL PARKS, AND 
CHESTNUT HILL RESERVOIR. 

P PH and Josh continued their ride through 
Boylston Street. They passed by the 
Public Garden, which is one of the finest spots 
of beauty, considering its size, to be found in 
the whole United States, special care having 
always been taken by the city forester, who, 
has sought to make this park a constant succes- 
sion of floral beauty. A few years ago, when 
the Grand Army Encampment was held here, 
the seals of all the different States were shown in 
beautiful flowers. When the Christian Endeav- 
orers and Knight Templars were here, appropri- 
ate decorations were made at the proper time for 
each ; and now as the blemish of the subway is 
being recovered from, it begins to assume its old- 
time beauty. There are a number of fine statues 
in this little quadrangle well worthy of a pro- 
longed visit. The buildings opposite the Public 


45 


4 6 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

Garden, which were formerly occupied as dwell- 
ings and afterwards as doctors’ residences and 
offices, have mostly given place to retail stores, 
and very shortly will be altogether wholesale 
stores. The growth of business is gradually 
working south and west, towards Roxbury, 
Brookline, and even Brighton. 

As they passed up Boylston Street, on the left 
comes the Young Men’s Christian Association 
Building at Berkeley Street ; the Brunswick Hotel 
appears next, at Clarendon Street. Just beyond 
Trinity Church on the right is the New Old 
South Church, with a high, square tower. A 
short distance above the Public Library, at the 
corner of Exeter Street, is a large building be- 
longing to the Harvard University, devoted to 
the medical school. Several private hotels are 
on Exeter Street, Copley Square being at the 
corner of Huntington Avenue. The large space 
of vacant land filled with cars belongs to the 
Albany Railroad, which passes under the streets 
in this vicinity. The Mechanics’ Building, which 
fronts on Huntington Avenue, is also seen. 

They now turn on to Massachusetts Avenue 
and continue along to Beacon Street, and instead 


SOME CHURCHES AND PARES. 47 


of crossing the bridge they turn up Beacon Street 
on the way to Brookline. 

They have a fine view of Cambridge, and pass 
by a portion of the Fens. All this territory was 
recovered from the “ Back Bay.” A good class 
of buildings as residences will occupy this land. 

Longwood, a portion of Brookline, comes into 
view. This is a very picturesque portion of the 
town ; it is like a magnificent country village. 
The streets are not too wide, bordered on each 
side by beautiful varieties of shade trees (no car 
tracks nor tree-destroying trolleys), beautiful 
private residences everywhere. Streets mostly 
macadamized; no “Electric Rapid Transit ” to 
come along and tear up the beautiful hard sur- 
face. 

They pass the business part of the town on 
their left, and soon begin to ascend the hills. 
The railroad occupies the center of the street, 
and is enclosed by a fence except at the street 
crossings (which should have been depressed 
or go over all railroad tracks in a thickly popu- 
lated district), and on each side outside of the 
fence the carriage roads are in excellent condi- 
tion. All the residences are among the best in 


48 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

the vicinity of Boston, and have ample and 
beautiful surroundings. 

They gradually near Chestnut Hill Reservoir, 
the largest of the “ Cochituate system.” The 
grounds are laid out, filled with shade trees, and 
well kept. The view from the embankment 
around the reservoir is very fine. It takes in a 
part of the city proper, Brookline, and its im- 
mediate surroundings. They walked to the 
pumping station close at hand. Here are all 
the old pumping engines, also the new one which 
was put in last year, of 20,000,000 gallons daily 
capacity. It is the most economical running 
pumping engine known, with twice as much 
capacity as both the old ones. Steam is used at 
180 pounds pressure to the square inch in what 
is termed a triple expansion engine, at a great 
saving of fuel over the old plan. 

Josh looked on with wonder and astonishment, 
and exclaimed : — 

“ Look here, Eph ; this great lot of water 
being pumped all the time, it seems to me, would 
run the reservoir over, and besides, I don’t see 
how they get so much to pump.” 

Eph said : — 


SOME CHURCHES AND PARKS. 49 


“ They have men to attend to all this. They 
keep the water in the reservoir at the same height 
all the time, and as the water in Lake Cochitu- 
ate diminishes they have other reservoirs and 
su PPly t0 draw from, which has been accumu- 
lating during the rainy season. Besides, they 
have the high service system, which is pumped 
up into the standpipe or tower, as it is called, 
located in Roxbury, which supplies all the high 
hills in this vicinity and Roxbury. They have 
the Mystic River system, which supplies Charles- 
town, Somerville, and Chelsea.” 

“ And what does. Cambridge do for water, I’d 
like to know? ” says Josh. 

“ Oh, Cambridge has an excellent system of 
its own. That is one reason why there is so 
much talk about the ‘ Greater Boston/ They 
want to annex all the territory within ten miles 
of the State House, so that they can get the 
beautiful buildings of Cambridge and the count}^ 
of Middlesex, with the water- works of that city 
and the town of Brookline, with but little expense, 
and at the same time the prestige of the residences 
of Brookline, with the wealth of its citizens, as 
well as that of Somerville, Malden, Everett, 


50 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

with the different towns, Cambridge and Harvard 
University thrown in.” 

“ I don’t believe,” says Josh, “ that they’d do 
that foolish thing very soon. I s’pose that they 
can’t git it done unless the people of them ar 
places says they might, and I don’t believe they’ll 
do that this year nor some years after.” 

“Money goes a great ways, Josh. Not a 
very large sum will buy a great many votes 
among some people, but Cambridge and Brook- 
line are very willing to wait for coming events. 

“ Well, Josh, we have seen considerable to- 
day, and I think we are both getting tired and 
will start for home. To give a little variety, we 
will take the car that goes back through the old 
part of Brookline, where the country store and 
old red schoolhouse used to be, which is the 
business portion of the town now, and going 
down Huntington Avenue will see some of the 
old farmhouses on the way and little low cot- 
tages, but most of them have given way to mod- 
ern ideas. The most of the land is low and 
very uninviting to make homes pleasant. After 
leaving the town of Brookline, many improve- 
ments will be made, and the portions before 


SOME CHURCHES AND PARRS. 


51 


reaching the Fens will be occupied principally 
by brick blocks and apartment houses, at modern 
rates.” 

“ It seems to me,” says Josh, “ that the Elec- 
tric Rapid Transit is digging up the streets a 
good deal. All along everywhere we’ve been 
the streets are dug up and little short turnouts 
are made here and there. The cars are blocked 
in long lines waiting to get along on one track, 
while they work in tother.” 

“ Yes, it is true,” says Eph, “ and one of the 
great many evils of the whole surface and trolley 
system. Ever since it was introduced here, about 
eight years ago, the prominent streets of the city 
(and those are where the tracks are located) 
have been torn up about all the time for eight 
months of the year during the fine weather, and 
in the winter frequently the cars are stopped by 
snow. The chief reason for this has been that 
electrical appliances for street-car propulsion 
have been passing through a successive series of 
inventive and experimental changes, instigated 
often by men not so familiar with the business in 
that line as they should have been, which were 
hastily put into practise on a large scale without 


52 JOSH CANDY'S EXPERIENCE. 

sufficient preliminary experience as to the details 
to fully warrant the plan of wholesale tearing up 
of costly constructed streets, and interference 
with the location of sewers, water, and gas pipes, 
to say nothing of telegraph, telephone, and elec- 
tric wires and poles, and the serious and exten- 
sive damages to property in the varied form of 
valuable buildings, trees and shrubbery, and 
lastly but not least, this ever present menace of 
the deadly trolley wire to endanger our lives, 
peace, and comfort.” 

“But,” says Josh, “do the Rapid Transit 
Company cause all this digging up of the 
streets ? ” 

“No,” says Eph ; “as population increases 
and larger buildings are put up, larger water 
and gas pipes are required, and occasionally 
larger sewers are put in to meet the growing 
wants ; but they cannot all occupy the streets at 
once, which are narrow at best, and accommo- 
date the public as well. It would seem that 
the public, who own the streets, should be 
provided for first, and not a gigantic mo- 
nopoly.” 

All this conversation had been going on 


SOME CHURCHES AND PARES. 53 

between Josh and Eph while they were sitting 
in the Public Garden enjoying its beauties in 
one of its shady nooks. After taking a walk 
through its winding paths, seeing and admiring 
its fine statues, watching the “swan boats” 
filled with the gay and happy children as they 
glide along paddling their hands in the cooling 
waters, they concluded to walk across the little 
suspension bridge, and through the common, on 
their way home over the hills, and visit the Sol- 
diers’ Monument, which Josh enjoyed very 
much. They took seats by the Frog Pond, 
where the children from time immemorial have 
sailed their boats and skipped stones across its 
bright surface, and even paddled with their 
bare feet and hands in its cooling waters. And 
years ago, within the memory of the oldest 
citizens, they were not shouted at by the 
guardians of peace, for there were none of 
them, except a few constables, the most noted 
of whom was “ Old Reed,” whom the boys of 
those days well remember. At night a staff of 
“watchmen” went over their beat once an 
hour and shouted, “ All’s well ! ” at intersecting 
street corners, and in case of fire, they rushed 


54 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


along through the streets winding their immense 
rattles, disturbing the whole neighborhood shout- 
ing, “ Fire ! Fire at 50 Court Street,” or where- 
‘ever the fire might be. These were the days 
before steam fire engines and paid fire depart- 
ments. 

Eph says, “ We will walk toward the old 
State House and view its glittering dome, which 
has always been for one hundred years the first 
spot to receive the rays of the rising sun, the 
last his sinking beams at night. Perhaps the 
tops of some of the modern sky-scrapers may 
put in an earlier and later appearance at this 
time.” 

“We will tarry a moment near Hancock 
Avenue, off Beacon Street, the spot where John 
Hancock was born and lived when he signed 
that document that gave liberty to the American 
people.” 

It was arranged that Mr. Tenny should meet 
them both in the morning, and they were glad 
to separate and retire for the night. 


CHAPTER VI. 


MR. TENNY INVITES JOSH TO MEET HIM AT HIS 
PLACE OF BUSINESS. 

P PH was on hand in good season, and the 
^ young men started to meet Mr. Tenny at 
his place of business, in the vicinity of what 
was formerly called Fort Hill. They walked 
up Temple Street to the New Court House Ex- 
tension, and through Ashburton Place to the en- 
trance of the New Court House in Pemberton 
Square. Josh admired the beautiful building 
very much, its massive approaches, and high, 
richly sculptured ceiling with varied colored 
stone, its sides with arches and statues, its beau- 
tiful inlaid colored marble floors, accessible 
elevators, convenient and finely furnished court 
rooms, in oak finish ; and registry of deeds 
offices, with every convenience. All this was a 
great astonishment to Josh. They proceeded 
through Scollay'Square, passing by the statue 
of Gov. John Winthrop, the first Governor of 


55 


56 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

Massachusetts Bay Colony ; down Cornhill — 
the most noted mart of old Boston, for its book- 
stores — into what is now Adams Square, where 
the statue of the noted defender and sturdy 
apostle of the right of libenty, Samuel Adams, 
stands in a conspicuous place, in durable bronze. 
They passed in sight of Faneuil Hall, and 
across State Street, through Liberty Square to 
the Fort Hill district, where Mr. Tenny’s store 
was located. He greeted Josh cordially, and 
asked him how he liked the appearance of the 
many things he had seen, and how he enjoyed 
his companion’s company. 

“Why, Mr. Tenny, I really don’t know how 
to express my thanks to you for your great 
kindness. I’ve seed so much and learned so 
many things about Boston from Eph, that I 
don’t see how it is possible for me to hold any 
more. I’m chuck full up to the brim, and I 
guess I’d better try and git something to do 
and go to work.” 

“Well,” said Mr. Tenny, “ perhaps it would 
be as well, as Ephraim is, no doubt, rather tired, 
having seen these things before; but he was 
pleased at my suggestion to show you around 


JOSH AT MR. TENNY'S OFFICE. 57 

for a few days, and give you a chance to see 
the sights, and probably he is quite willing to 
resume his duties in the store.” 

Eph said he was quite ready to do so, and, 
accordingly, left Josh in Mr. Tenny’s care, and 
he went about his duties. 

Mr. Tenny invited Josh to take a seat in his 
private office, and he would soon be with him. 
After a little time he came in and sat down near 
him, and remarked that he had been thinking 
over the matter a good deal, and had come to 
the conclusion that as Ephraim had been with 
him several years, and had become familiar 
with his business in all its varied details, and 
had become more valuable to him, he should 
promote him to a higher position, and that creat- 
ing a vacancy, he had decided to offer Josh the 
position. The business being wholesale hard-r 
ware especially, in the line of general builders’ 
use, it offered a favorable field for a new be- 
ginner. 

Mr. Tenny’s proposition was so favorable, 
and at the same time so unexpected, that Josh 
gladly availed himself of the kind offer, and 
asked him when he should like for him to begin. 


58 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


Mr. Tenny said he could do so at once. As 
it was near the close of the week, he might take 
a little time to rest, and commence on the follow- 
ing Monday morning. He bid his kind friend 
and employer good morning, and took his de- 
parture. 

As he felt fresh, and full of life and good 
spirits, thinking of his good fortune, he did not 
feel inclined to return to his boarding house, 
but took a stroll down to the wharves, and saw 
the large ships, and looking across to East Bos- 
ton, saw the ocean steamers, as well as the 
smaller steamboats and ferryboats ; and being 
on the end of Long Wharf, he had a fine view 
of the harbor, with its many beautiful islands, 
the city institutions at Deer Island, also Fort 
Winthrop on Governor’s Island, and Fort In- 
dependence on Castle Island. The waters of 
the harbor were filled with all sorts of sailing 
craft, from the little boats, with a leg-of-mutton 
sail, manned by one or two boys, to the large 
private yacht, manned by a dozen young 
‘ ‘ tars ” in duck suits ; the trim vessel careened 
to the water’s edge, by the strain of the well- 
filled canvas, and plowing its way through the 


JOSH AT MR. TENNY'S OFFICE. 59 


sparkling, briny waves. As he turned up the 
wharf to find his way to the street, he saw 
the granite United States’ Bonded Warehouses, 
and the solid granite Custom House, that looked 
as if it might stand for ages, and on Commercial 
Street he saw the vast collection of fruits and 
vegetables on the sidewalks of a long granite 
building, which he knew was the Quincy 
Market. He entered at the lower end, and the 
first thing that greeted his eyes was the enor- 
mous collection of fish of all sorts, from the 
halibut of two or three hundred pounds’ weight 
to the little perch and smelts of a few ounces. 

All this was new to him, as he had never 
seen any fish of more than a few pounds’ weight, 
and those of the fresh water variety, while these 
were veritable salt, ocean fish. Passing on, he 
saw in succession vegetables, nuts, and fruit, 
then butter, cheese, lard, pork, beef ! The 
great quarters of beef, such as Patrick Henry 
pleaded for in his appeal, at the church at 
Richmond, for the starving Revolutionary Army, 
when he said, “ Beef ! beef ! ! beef ! ! ! ”, and 
he passed on to the poultry and mutton. 

Directly opposite the upper entrance is Faneuil 


6o 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


Hall, the lower part used for a market, and 
Josh thought he would go upstairs into the hall. 
The first object that met his vision was the great 
picture of the Senate Chamber at Washington, 
in which Daniel Webster is the prominent figure, 
engaged in replying to the speech of Colonel 
Hayne, of South Carolina. This was one of 
Webster’s noted speeches, and has been handed 
down as a masterpiece of eloquence and logic. 
It is said that the two senators met the next 
morning on Pennsylvania Avenue, and Mr. 
Webster greeted his opponent with a cheerful 
good morning, and said, “ How do you do, 
Colonel Hayne ? ” His reply was very de- 
cided, “ None the better for you, sir; none the 
better for you ! ” 

Having viewed the fine collection of heroes of 
the Revolution and early statesmen, and admired 
the grand old Cradle of Liberty, where so many 
gatherings of noble men of past generations, as 
well as those of more recent date, have often 
met at noon hour or evening to discuss the 
momentous questions of the times, he reluctantly 
took his departure. There are some men now 
living who have listened to the eloquent plead- 


JOSH AT MR. TENNY'S OFFICE. 6 1 

ings of Daniel Webster, Choate, Banks, Sum- 
ner, Wilson, Wendell Phillips, and many others 
in this famous building. 

Josh passed around the building into Dock 
Square, where, at the corner of North Street, 
formerly stood an old gambrel roof building 
with many projections and funny-looking win- 
dows, and covered with a coat of cement and 
small pebbles with an intermingling of shells, 
on the end facing Union Street, over the princi- 
pal entrance of which was this inscription, 
“ Built in 1680.” The building was torn down 
some thirty years ago to give place to stores. 
Proceeding through Union Street, which is the 
center of the furnace and stove trade, he came 
to Marshall Street, where, on the east corner of 
a small court, stands a four-story brick building 
built in 1835. Near the corner, imbedded in the 
wall, is a stone globe about 18 inches in diameter 
without any inscription on the globe. Only half 
of it projects beyond the face of the wall. Be- 
low the globe, near the sidewalk, is a block of 
stone about 30 inches long, 12 inches deep, pro- 
jecting about 5 inches from the wall, with this 
inscription, “ Boston Stone,” “ 1737.” But 


62 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


little is known of its history save that it was in 
the ancient building on this spot, and when it 
was torn down the two stones were preserved 
and carefully inserted in the new building in the 
same relative position. It had been learned that 
a dealer and manufacturer of paints occupied 
the old building, and he imported from England 
a stone paint mill about the year 1700, of which 
these two stones were a part. The reservoir for 
the paint after it was ground contained about 
two barrels. This globe was revolved at the top 
and ground the paint, then it ran into the reser- 
voir. The lower stone with the inscription was 
the base. 

Proceeding across Hanover Street, Josh turned 
up again to Union Street, thence to Haymarket 
Square. A canal came through here formerly 
into the bay on the east side of the city, but 
long since went out of use. A few only now 
living can remember its existence, streets and 
stores have occupied its place. Continuing up 
Sudbury Street to Court, he saw many old, anti- 
quated buildings, occupied by residents of 
former generations. As Bowdoin Square is ap- 
proached, a number of large stores come into 


JOSH AT MR. TENNY'S OFFICE. 63 

view ; many of the Cambridge cars from Cam- 
bridge Street stop here and resume their return 
trip down Green Street back to Cambridge 
Street again. From Cambridge Street Josh 
turned up Temple Street and sought his home, 
tired, and glad to get there. After supper Eph 
made his appearance and invited him to visit his 
home and father’s family. After he had had a 
short conversation with him alone with reference 
to the occurrences of the day and the favorable 
prospects which seemed to open to each, and 
the very high opinion which they both enter- 
tained for their employer, benefactor, and true 
friend, Eph introduced Josh to the various 
members of the family, consisting of father, 
mother, sister about three years younger than 
Josh, a brother of fourteen, and another sister of 
eleven years. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer questioned 
Josh in regard to his experience in the city, to 
which he answered with promptness and intelli- 
gence in his quaint style. They were mutually 
pleased, and after a little interchange of pleasant 
thoughts he bid them good night and took his 
way home. 


CHAPTER VII. 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN AND BUNKER HILL, 
AND HIS BUSINESS CAREER. 



‘HE next day being his last leisure day pre- 


* vious to entering on his duties Monday 
morning, he decided to go over to Charlestown. 
He had heard much of the early history of Bos- 
ton and Charlestown, and felt like visiting the 
scenes of the early conflicts and stirring times 
of the beginning of the Revolution. On his way 
down to Warren Bridge he passed Rev. Dr. 
Lowell’s church on Lynde Street, now used for 
the West End branch of the Public Library. 
(Dr. Lowell was the father of James Russell 
Lowell, the famous Cambridge poet and author 
of the noted “Biglow Papers.”) He continued 
into Causeway Street (where the waters of the 
Charles River once flowed and mingled with 
that of the bay and ocean), by the new Union 
Station, where trains from nearly all parts of the 
East, North, and West are concentrated, making 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 65 

this the most accessible and convenient station 
in the United States. He passed by the old 
Fitchburg Station, where “Jenny Lind, the 
Swedish nightingale,” sang her first song to an 
American audience, under the management of 
the famous Barnum, more than fifty years ago. 

He got a glimpse of the Navy Yard and 
Uncle Sam’s ships as he passed over the bridge. 
Going through Charlestown Square, turning to 
the right of City Hall, he passed through a small 
park at the foot of Bunker Hill, as usually 
termed, but in reality Breed’s Hill, as history 
tells us that the battle was commenced at Bun- 
ker Hill and our soldiers retreated to Breed’s 
Hill, where Warren fell. In this park is a 
beautiful monument, in commemoration of the 
soldiers killed in the Rebellion, belonging to 
Charlestown. Also inside the gates of the park 
are large bronze tablets, giving the names of 
the men killed and wounded at the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and where they lived. Proceed- 
ing up the hill, he came to the monument and 
battle-field. The view from the top of the hill 
was very fine, as told by those who saw it before 
it was surrounded by high buildings. The hill 


66 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


is about ioo feet above tide level, and the monu- 
ment rises 220 feet from the surface of the hill ; 
the view from the top when the sky is clear is 
beautiful. At times the White Mountains in 
New Hampshire are visible, one hundred miles 
away. Wachusett, in Princeton, sixty miles dis- 
tant, is seen, also Monadnock, in New Hampshire, 
about seventy-five miles. The coast line and 
Boston Harbor, with its beautiful islands, and 
Massachusetts Bay, are distinctly seen. Josh 
met an elderly gentleman in the outlook at the 
top of the monument, who told him of a peculiar 
experience he had, when about twenty years of 
age, in connection with this monument. The 
structure was nearly completed, the workmen 
were waiting for the capstone to cover up the 
hole in the center, which had been used for the 
derrick mast, for hoisting the stone in the prog- 
ress of the work. The derrick was still in 
position. It was nearly night when he ascended 
the monument by the stone steps inside, and 
when he reached the upper floor (where they 
were now standing), he took a notion to climb 
up the mast through the hole in the middle, 
which was barely large enough for him to 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 67 
squeeze through. As he stood on the top on a 

f 

space about four feet square, and admired the 
magnificent surroundings, the time passing 
quickly, he did not realize that the sun was sink- 
ing rapidly in the west. The people looked like 
little pigmies, and carriages with horses like 
dogs, as dimly seen below. He knew he must 
hasten down. All the lights had been put out, 
so it was quite dark inside. His way was made 
as rapidly as possible around the wind of three 
hundred steps, with the usual halt of a broad 
one, where the little air space came from the 
outside, which he had partly to guess at ; but 
he reached at length the door at the bottom, to 
find it locked ! He pounded it furiously for 
some minutes, when he heard a shout. “ By 
jabbers, who is there?” He replied he was 
locked in, and wanted to get out, which the 
Celtic gentleman proceeded to help him do 
by unlocking the door. “ Faith,” says Pat, “ I 
thought, by the Holy Father, you was indeed a 
ghoust.” But Pat soon realized that he was not 
much of a ghost, for the intense heat inside and 
the vigorous exercise which he had undergone 
undoubtedly gave him the appearance of an 


68 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


active and quite a high-colored ghost ! But he 
was very thankful to make his escape, as Pat 
remarked, if he had been a minute later, he 
would have been compelled to have spent the 
night inside, and probably a portion if not all 
the next day, as the work was suspended for the 
time. 

Josh, on returning to the surface, took a com- 
plete survey of the hill, the different points 
where breastworks were thrown up, as indicated 
by the granite tablets, and read carefully their 
varied inscriptions ; and gazed with admiration 
upon the heroic bronze statue of Colonel Pres- 
cott, as shown in the figure, in the act of advanc- 
ing with drawn sword in hand, with a set 
determination in every feature to do or die. 

He concluded to visit the Navy Yard, which 
was near at hand. He entered the side entrance 
on Chelsea Street, near the residences of the 
commandant and other officers, and went im- 
mediately into the rope walks, where the heavy 
cordage and cables are made for Uncle Sam’s 
war-ships. He had never seen such ropes be- 
fore, some of them as much as six inches in 
diameter, or such ponderous machinery required 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 69 

to do the work. The progress is entirely differ- 
ent from that of the common rope for general 
use, as those are made in short, compact 
machines, and coiled up on reels as fast as 
made, while these are made by commencing 
with small yarns not larger than cotton wicking, 
and wound and twisted together with strand 
after strand of still larger cord and rope until 
the six-inch cable is completed, which requires 
a rope walk one quarter of a mile in length. 
Having witnessed the different processes, in- 
cluding the tarring of the cables by drawing 
them through a vat of hot tar, which preserves 
them from decay by the action of the elements 
and the salt water, and reached the end of the 
long walk on the outside of the building, he 
visited the workshops, where the heavy steam 
machinery of the war-ships are built and re- 
paired, all of which require the most ponderous 
tools and hoisting apparatus. During the Re- 
bellion this, as well as all of the government 
yards of the country, and private yards, and 
iron works of all descriptions, were hustling 
with activity, for the demand of the govern- 
ment was very great. He passed through the 


70 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


great forge and rolling mills where the armor 
plate was made, through the engine-rooms and 
workshops, which are now nearly silent. He 
saw the big chimney, 240 feet high, the great 
piles of shot and shell, and the long rows of 
navy, fort, and siege guns, all of which filled 
Josh with astonishment and wonder. It was all 
new to him. He came to the dry dock, built of 
solid granite about 1834, but to-day practically 
about useless, as it is much too short for even 
merchant steamers of large size, as used at the 
present day. 

He went into the engine-house of the pump- 
ing engine used for pumping out the dock 
after the ship is placed in position. But the 
machinery is not the magnitude of that at the 
Chestnut Hill Reservoir. From there he went 
into the Marine Museum, which is filled with 
marine and other relics of the late Rebellion, 
and he was very much interested in all he 
saw. As he came out, he went down to the end 
of the dock, where a number of war-ships were 
lying at anchor, the most of them the old line 
battle-ships with two and three rows of guns on 
each side. The Wabash is now the receiving 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 7 1 

ship, and about the only approach to modern 
ships now here. 

Across the channel is thickly populated East 
Boston, with all its various industries, and its 
wharves lined with shipping. The ocean 
steamers are prominent. On the left is the 
mouth of the Mystic River, with its many coal 
depots, docks, and elevators, for this being deep 
water, large steamers come here with coal, and 
foreign vessels for grain and flour, as the docks 
have direct railway communication with all 
parts of the country. Still farther to the left 
is Chelsea, a busy manufacturing city, which 
seems to have gotten over the stigma of “ Dead 
as Chelsea,” and has become quite an important 
little city. The Marine Hospital and Soldiers’ 
Home are on the adjacent heights. To the 
right is seen also the wharves of the North End, 
and Copps Hill stands out prominent. 

Many of Boston’s ancient residents are buried 
in this ancient burial-place, Cotton Mather 
among them. 

As it was drawing towards evening Josh 
found his way out of the yard, through the gate 
on Navy Street (a United States sentinel is 


72 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


always here). On his way to the lower bridge, 
he passed the terminus of the Hoosac Tunnel 
line, where are the docks and elevators for 
handling and shipping the grain from the cars. 
A singular incident is connected with a large 
vessel many years ago that was moored at this 
dock. A severe easterly gale of wind came on 
suddenly in the night, and broke the ship from 
her fastenings, and the watchman being the 
only man on board, he could do nothing towards 
securing the vessel, but had the coolness and 
presence of mind to do the right thing. Accord- 
ingly, he steered the ship direct bow on, to the 
old Charlestown Bridge. It cut a swath com- 
pletely through it, but checked the speed so 
much that it brought it up against the pier of 
Warren Bridge draw without harm to the vessel, 
and but little to either bridge, as the old bridge 
had been suspended for repairs. Josh passed 
up Causeway Street, directly home, and was 
glad to reach it after the fatigue of the day. 

Eph came in the evening to talk over the 
events that had occurred in the past few days, 
and arrange to attend church on the morrow, to 
hear Dr. Lorimer at Tremont Temple, which 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 73 

had just been rebuilt, after having been de- 
stroyed by fire the year before. 

Sunday morning Josh arose happy as a lark, 
feeling bright and well. After his usual bath 
and preparations for the day, he had a short 
time for suitable reading and reflection before 
breakfast, and soon after the morning meal, he 
started to meet his friend. 

He was all ready upon his arrival, and after 
greeting the members of the family pleasantly, 
the two young men set out for the Temple. 
This was Josh’s first attendance at any church 
in Boston. The beautiful interior of the build- 
ing struck him with peculiar force. Its complete 
accommodation to the wants of the large congre- 
gation which gathered there, and the distinct- 
ness with which the eloquent words of the 
preacher reached the hearers, astonished him 
very much. The subject was very practical, 
especially adapted to young men, and made a 
deep and abiding impression upon his mind, 
and he came away so full of it that he did not 
feel like engaging much in conversation in 
their walk homeward. But the friends parted 
with the best of feeling towards each other, 


74 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


they each having been absorbed mostly in their 
own thoughts. 

After dinner Josh spent a short time in read- 
ing, then commenced a long letter to his mother. 
He had written her during the week, giving her 
an account of his journey, and safe arrival, and 
the reception he had received, but had not told 
of the favorable arrangement he had made 
with Mr. Tenny, and he decided now to do so 
in full. Having concluded the letter, he made 
ready to meet Eph, to attend the afternoon 
service at Trinity Church. The interior of the 
church struck him with admiration, the magnifi- 
cent paintings called forth the best emotions of 
his nature, and he enjoyed the beautiful and 
inspiring church service and the soul-inspiring 
music, all of which were new to him, and gave 
him food for calm reflection later in the evening. 
They walked homeward through Clarendon 
Street, and through Commonwealth Avenue, 
which has fine residences on each side, with a 
park through the center, admiring the fine statue 
of General Glover, the Revolutionary hero of 
Marblehead, who raised a regiment of one thou- 
sand men and reported at camp, at Cambridge, 


HIS TRIP TO CHARLESTOWN. 


75 


June 2, 1775 ; also that of Alexander Hamilton, 
first Secretary of the Treasury, who served 
through Washington’s administration with great 
ability. They walked through the Public 
Garden, admiring the lovely floral display, and 
across the Common, which was not so beautiful, 
unless rough walks, piles of gravel, uncouth 
mounds of sand, broken alternate ridges of clay 
and gravel, heaps of stone, numerous boulders 
and grass plots, constitute beauty. 

Arriving at the State House, they went 
through what was once Temple Street, and the 
old reservoir, built in 1848, which was torn down 
in 1894-1895 to give place to the present State 
House extension, the surroundings of which 
are not yet completed, and crossed Derne 
Street, and are in Temple Street, at home, to 
meet on the morrow, one to resume the same 
business, the other to start in an entirely new 
field, as many a youth has done before. Josh, 
having had abundance of material during the 
day to furnish food for reflection, after partak- 
ing of a light supper retired to his room for quiet 
and early rest. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


INTRODUCTION TO HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, 
AND COMMENCEMENT OF HIS DUTIES. 

PEARLY on Monday Josh rose and prepared 
himself to begin his life’s duties anew and 
adapt himself to his new field of usefulness, and 
in the city of his adoption he hoped to make a 
permanent home. He started full of life, with 
a determination to make a success. 

Taking the shortest route for the store — he 
had now become quite familiar with the streets 
and surroundings, and it did not take long to 
find his way to the Fort Hill district. Eph was 
there just ahead of him, and, as he had leisure, 
he gave him such instructions as would be of ad- 
vantage to him. 

After a short time Mr. Tenny arrived, for he 
was a prompt man of business, and sought to 
impress those in his employ by his example 
what might be expected of them, which was 
far better than long lectures to each and every 

76 


INTRODUCTION TO HIS ASSOCIATES. 77 

one as to what might be required of them. His 
business was managed in such a way that each 
intuitively knew their duties before they were 
aware of it, for this same principle was carried 
out to the letter with the members of the firm, 
as well those holding the highest positions as the 
lowest. 

In a short time Mr. Tenny observed Josh 
busy with Eph putting things in order about 
the store, and beckoned to him to come forward, 
which he did at once, and politely bid his em- 
ployer good morning, which was returned, and 
then he invited him into the office, where he in- 
troduced him to Mr. Smith, his partner, and 
the other leading men, who greeted him cor- 
dially. They asked him a few questions in 
regard to what he had seen and how he was 
pleased, which he answered promptly and 
politely, with an intelligent idea of what he had 
seen, which satisfied them that he was a bright 
young man and took advantage of every oppor- 
tunity to turn his observations to a good account. 
He then retired and resumed his duties. 

Under Eph’s tuition, and a ready learner as 
he was, he soon became familiar with his duties, 


78 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

and it was not many weeks before he was a 
great favorite in the store among all that he was 
required to come in contact with. The whole 
business being entirely new to him, the time 
passed away rapidly, and before he was aware 
of it the noon hour had arrived, and arrange- 
ments were made for him to go to dinner about 
twelve o’clock, while Eph remained until he 
returned. It was not a long walk for a sprightly 
young man to go to his home and return within 
an hour. 

The business of the afternoon was to attend 
to shipping goods, as the orders by mail came 
usually in the morning ; and more customers 
called in the forenoon than later in the day. 
He, however, soon learned the general routine 
of the business, adapting himself to it. 

After supper he looked over the daily papers. 
He could usually find one among the number 
that suited him, and he had begun to get some 
acquainted with the boarders and members of 
the family. The most of them were pleasant 
and desirable company. They sought to draw 
him out, as they found him a good talker and 
equally good listener, when the subject under 


INTRODUCTION TO HIS ASSOCIATES. 79 

discussion was of interest to him. He retired 
early, slept well, and arose betimes to prepare 
for the duties of the day. 

The routine of a wholesale or manufacturing 
business is very similar ; the same course is pur- 
sued day after day, and when one becomes 
familiar with the line of business he is in, as far 
as the routine is concerned, he has it all. But 
that does not imply, by any means, that one who 
has thus familiarized himself with that portion 
of it knows it all. 

As the slang phrase goes, he’s got a heap to 
learn yet. He must know the nature and pur- 
poses of every article used in the business, its cost 
value as well as its selling value, and the varied 
qualities which are sold, and how payments are to 
be made. It is not so in the retail business ; that 
goes into the regular every-day business of life, 
and to the consumer only. While the large 
retail business has its many branches, each 
under its appropriate head, to be carried out in 
every detail by the many subordinates, who be- 
come familiar with their special line and pursue 
it day after day, it therefore becomes a regular 
routine, which is easily learned. But not so with 


8o 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


the manufacturing or wholesale business. There 
is very much for one man to learn, and of 
necessity it takes a great amount of time and 
energy, and unless one has these qualifications 
he will not make a success. 

Eph and Josh, in the progress of events, be- 
came very fast friends. They succeeded well 
together in the business, the first doing everything 
possible, in the best of spirit, to inform his asso- 
ciate in all matters necessary for him to know. 
The latter, a ready listener in all meekness, as 
becomes one anxious to learn, with a willing hand 
to do to the utmost of his ability all that was 
required of him with despatch, at the same time 
did not lose sight of the proper respect required 
to be shown to all his superiors. In this way he 
commanded the confidence of all with whom he 
came in contact. 

The two boys were somewhat different in 
their natures as well as in appearances. The 
elder was rather straight in stature and build, 
fair complexion, with strikingly even features, 
a massive forehead, quick to comprehend, and 
very active in his movements, his muscles fully 
developed by judicious exercise. The latter 


INTRODUCTION TO HIS ASSOCIATES. 8 1 


was nearly the opposite ; taller, stouter, and in 
robust health, from a life of toil upon the farm, 
a dark blonde in complexion, with well-cut 
features and prominent brow. He had a well- 
balanced mind, rather slow in decision and 
action, but firm and always reliable, and one 
likely to come out right. These were the young 
men that were to be much together. As time 
went on it was found that they became much 
pleased with each other’s society, and were true 
and fast friends. 

It was suggested by Eph’s parents (as they 
became more acquainted with Josh) that it 
would be pleasant for him to live with them, as 
he liked a more quiet home than he had ; ac- 
cordingly, arrangements were made to that 
effect. The fall season was now approaching, 
and lectures and various sources of profit and 
amusement were in order for the long evenings, 
and it was much more convenient for them to be 
together. The change was very pleasant and 
happy. 

They visited the Public Library, the “ branch ” 
being near at hand. They used that mostly, 
but occasionally went to the main building. 


82 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

Josh was in raptures at what he saw there. The 
building strikingly impressed him, externally as 
well as in all its details. He admired the beau- 
tiful paintings. The more he gazed the longer he 
wanted to stay, but he filled in his time in so 
many ways that he could not spend all in one 
place. It was with great reluctance that he 
would at Eph’s solicitation leave for home, but 
he always yielded to his judgment in these 
matters. They each got tickets to the Lowell 
Lectures, that they were especially interested i-n, 
and sometimes Eph’s sister accompanied them. 
She resembled her brother very much, and bore 
the lovely name of Lucy. She was a light 
blonde, and beautiful, with golden hair, light- 
blue eyes, finely cut features, a fine cast of mind, 
well educated, pleasant and very agreeable in 
company, and it is needless to say that Josh was 
delighted to be in her company ; it seemed to 
be reciprocated, and they had opportunity to be 
much together during the winter. As time ad- 
vanced Josh felt that he would like to have his 
sister Mary come and make him a visit, and as 
Eph and he became more intimate he told him 
more of his family. Eph accidentally men- 


INTRODUCTION TO HIS ASSOCIATES. 83 

tioned the subject to his parents, and they sug- 
gested that Mary be invited to make them a 
visit, as they had plenty of room and she would 
be good company for Lucy. Accordingly, the 
matter was arranged, much to the satisfaction of 
the two boys. 


CHAPTER IX. 


JOSH, IN COMPANY WITH EPH, VISITS MANY 
PLACES OF INTEREST AND BECOMES MORE 
ACQUAINTED WITH THE ADVANTAGES 
OF A LARGE CITY. 

A S Mr. Sawyer’s family were regular mem- 
** bers of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 
Eph invited Josh on the next Sunday morning 
to go with him. He was much interested in 
the service, as it was quite different from the 
evening service at Trinity, which he had pre- 
viously heard. He was much interested in both, 
as it was all new to him, and he felt that he 
should learn to like it. The sermon by the 
rector was a most excellent one. The style of 
the building was so different to that of Trinity 
that he was very much surprised. The churches 
that he had been in the habit of seeing in the 
country were so much alike that the contrast 
seemed to him very great. He did not realize 
that this church was next to Christ Church, the 


84 


JOSH BECOMES MORE ACQUAINTED. 85 

oldest Episcopal church in Boston, while Trinity 
was very nearly the newest, and was the most 
costly and finest of any in the city. 

After dinner, as the day was beautiful, Eph 
suggested that they take a trip to Cambridge, 
and visit the Agassiz Museum. Eph’s mother 
proposed that Lucy and Harry, the younger 
brother, might go also ; and taking a car at the 
foot of Temple Street, Broadway line, they 
went through Bowdoin Square, Green and 
Chambers Streets to Cambridge Street, over the 
West Boston Bridge, which route was all new 
to Josh. They struck Main Street for a short 
distance, and turned into Broadway, the lower 
part of which is rather unpleasant, being mostly 
manufacturing buildings and the lower class of 
tenements, but very soon they reached a better 
class of buildings. Then passing the Mason 
& Hamlin Organ and Piano Manufactory, on 
the left near the railroad crossing, and continu- 
ing a short distance, they came to a better class 
of residences. There is a very pretty little 
park on the left which has recently been laid 
out by the Park Commission, which was for- 
merly a cemetery. The city opened a finely 


86 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

located cemetery bordered by the Charles River, 
near Mt. Auburn, about forty years ago, and 
caused all that were buried in this lot to be re- 
moved to a suitable lot in the new cemetery 
without expense to the relatives ; and now, since 
the improvements have been made, the Broad- 
way Park, as it is called, has become a very 
pretty place. 

Continuing up Broadway, and passing at 
Inman Street the Harvard Grammar School, 
they now ascend Dana Hill, where are fine 
residences on each side with beautiful grounds, 
and so come to Ellery Street, at the corner of 
which, on the right, is the English High School, 
one of the finest buildings in the vicinity of 
Boston. They stop for a few minutes in the 
new Public Library, at the corner of Trow- 
bridge Street. It is not large, but a very beauti- 
ful Jmilding. They then cross to Cambridge 
Street, pass through Memorial Hall, where are 
the tablets with names of the men of Harvard — 
to which allusion has been made before — who 
were killed in the Rebellion, and going out of 
the north side into Oxford Street, they come to 
the entrance to Agassiz Museum, where the 


JOSH BECOMES MORE ACQUAINTED. 87 

Blaschka glass models are exhibited. This 
collection surpasses anything of the kind in the 
world. The secret is known at the present time 
to only one man, the father having recently 
died. Specimens of the smallest flower, twig, 
or plant are made of glass, imitating every 
color and form, and perfectly indestructible. 
For study this is invaluable, and exceedingly 
interesting. 

Having feasted their eyes on this large and 
magnificent collection, they turn their steps to 
another part of the museum, containing fine 
collections in all branches of natural history in 
which the elder Agassiz excelled, and which his 
son has continued, and erected these beautiful 
buildings, chiefly at his own expense, presenting 
them to Harvard University. They went up 
Divinity Avenue to Kirkland Street, passing 
the residences of several professors, and go 
down Kirkland Street, leaving Professor Nor- 
ton’s house on the left, surrounded by old 
forest trees, and also the quiet residence of the 
noted Dr. John C. Palfrey, among the trees 
behind the former, then through Baldwin 
Street to the car station. They must wait out- 


88 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


doors until the car comes (perhaps ten minutes, 
even half an hour or more at some hours), ex- 
posed to the fierce heat of the noonday sun, or 
drenching rain in summer; and in the winter, 
perhaps, a terrific snowstorm, or icy cold blasts. 

Ladies, delicate children, even invalids, have 
to endure all this suffering. Why, signs in 
large, conspicuous letters have been recently 
posted at each side of the doors of all the car 
stations of the Great Rapid Transit Company, 
saying: “Positively No Admittance! Only 
Employees Allowed to Enter this Car Station. 
Dangerous ! ” The superintendent of the station 
is required to enforce this rule, and may order 
out all who attempt to enter. Why this ar- 
bitrary rule? An accident happened to a pas- 
senger previous to the posting of the signs, and 
the company had to pay damages. But, never- 
theless, the whole community have to suffer, 
forsooth ! And the great monopoly does not 
even provide a shed of boards to protect its 
patrons. Verily, this is a patient traveling 
community. 

Eph having delivered himself freely on this 
point, proceeded to say that was not all. The 


JOSH BECOMES MORE ACQUAINTED. 89 

great monopoly run their heavy loaded wires in 
groups of ten frequently on their series of poles 
directly in front of open windows occupied by 
families, slash down beautiful trees, mutilate 
their branches to get passage for their dangerous 
wires ; oftentimes the protective covering gets 
worn off by chafing against the trees, and the 
death-dealing electricity seeks the nearest chan- 
nel (which they call short circuit) ; it maybe an 
open window, with the aid of a dead wire, or 
down a tree, or post, where a group of people 
may be standing near by on the sidewalk, and 
as they receive the shock, some may be killed 
or seriously injured. "■* 

Josh interrupted and said, “I’d like to know 
if they have got to have the wires.” 

“No,” replied Eph ; “the whole overhead 
trolley and wire system should be abolished. 
It was an outrage upon a thickly settled, popu- 
lous, and sensible community to inflict such a 
monstrous incubus upon them. 

“ It was well known, before this system was so 
firmly established, that a plan had been made 
whereby the current could be conveyed through 
an intermediate or third rail, and have all the 


90 JOSH CANZY’S EXPERIENCE. 


connective apparatus under the car and made 
positively safe, but the trolley system having a 
strong and powerful organization, and abun- 
dance of capital behind it to use as might be 
required, all subordinate schemes were thrown 
into the background. 

“ But it is now conclusively shown by proof, 
that the intermediate rail as a medium of con- 
veying power is a positive success, and the 
whole trolley system for large cities will have 
to be very soon abandoned.” 

The most of this conversation took place 
while they were waiting at the station. A car 
came along, they got aboard, and were on their 
way down Cambridge Street towards home, 
which was reached in about half an hour. 

They were all delighted with their trip. 
What they had seen at the museum made a 
profound impression upon them all, it was so 
unique and wonderful, and all so new. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer entered so fully into 
the spirit of the information gained from the 
young people that they determined to go and 
see for themselves, as soon as an opportunity 
offered. 


JOSH BECOMES MORE ACQUAINTED. 9 1 

After supper, Josh wrote a long letter to his 
mother, in which was one from Mrs. Sawyer 
inviting Mary to make them a visit, in which, 
in a very cordial manner, she impressed upon 
her the necessity of giving her daughter an 
opportunity of seeing something of life beyond 
their little home. 

Josh does not give us any light in regard to 
their opinion of him, if even he had any idea 
what it might be. All this we must leave to 
the reader. 


CHAPTER X. 


HIS VISIT TO THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN 
UNION AND OTHER INTERESTING PLACES. 

' I 'HE two young men were up betimes and 
* ready for breakfast, to which they usually 
did justice. The leaves of autumn had begun 
to fall, as they took their course down Park 
Street Mall, which reminded Josh of his child- 
hood’s home. Occasionally a thought of the 
old homestead and the dear ones there would 
force itself upon him, and it was pleasant to 
think of at times ; but he did not allow himself 
to brood upon it. He was of such a joyous 
nature, and had such an abundance around 
him to occupy his thoughts, that he did not 
have time for homesickness. They soon 
reached the store, and engaged in their re- 
spective duties. 

In the evening, after supper, Eph proposed 
that they go to the Young Men’s Christian 
Union, in Boylston Street. That, as is well 


92 


HIS VISIT TO THE Y. M. C. U. 93 

known, is designed for the same purpose as the 
Young Men’s Christian Association — to give 
young men who live in the city a place to meet 
and read suitable books, listen to lectures, en- 
gage in amusements, and whatever may be 
helpful to them. Josh enjoyed it very much, 
and felt that he should enjoy the meeting there 
often whether Eph came in with him or not, 
for there was much there to interest him. At 
an early hour they started for home. It was a 
lovely evening, and they enjoyed the walk very 
much. Their home was conveniently situated, 
for it was but a reasonably short walk to their 
place of business, also to church, and not far 
to the Lowell Lectures. 

As for amusements, they did not care much 
for them, as they did not have the time, and 
Josh certainly did not have the money at 
present, and Eph did not have the inclination 
to much extent. They could both get all they 
wanted at the Christian Union and lectures 
which they attended without much outlay of 
money. 

Having arrived at the house, the younger 
members of the family had retired. The father 


94 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


and mother greeted Josh and Eph pleasantly, 
and asked Josh how he was pleased. He re- 
plied that he liked it very much. He thought 
that Boston boys had advantages superior to 
those in most places. 

Mr. Sawyer replied that most of the progres- 
sive cities of the country had similar facilities. 
New York has the Cooper Union, a most ex- 
cellent institution. Philadelphia has similar 
places, but outside of New England there was 
not so much, except in the larger cities. Lucy 
said she thought the boys had more privileges 
than the girls, and it was hardly fair. But as 
they were all interested in music, she had very 
good opportunities to attend concerts, through 
her teaching the piano to private pupils, and her 
time was now quite well taken up since she left 
school about a year ago. Lucy asked Josh if 
he was interested in music. 

He said he had sung some in the village 
choir, but did not claim that he was much of 
a singer. 

But now it was getting about bedtime, and 
they bid each other good night and retired. 

The bright October morning found the boys 


HIS VISIT TO THE Y. M. C. U. 95 

alert as usual and ready for business. The 
day passed with the usual routine. At night, 
after supper, the boys started for the Lowell 
lecture, which was on the subject of what 
should be the proper standard of money as a 
permanent basis for successful business. The 
speaker took the ground that “gold” was the 
only proper and reliable standard for progres- 
sive civilized nations, as the basis for money 
should be that and nothing else, as all other 
commodities changed in value in proportion to 
supply and demand ; while with gold, the supply 
has never so much increased as to cheapen the 
price materially below the standard price, but it 
sometimes has been enhanced at a large pre- 
mium above the standard in consequence of war, 
or unusual inflation of general commodities. 
They were much interested in the subject, and 
it was of great value to Josh, especially, as his 
opportunities had been quite limited in that 
direction. The walk home was very pleasant, 
as there was sufficient crisp to the October air to 
give quick activity to young blood, and before 
they were aware of it they arrived at the house. 
The older members of the family were in wait- 


9 6 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

in g, and the first question asked by Mr. Sawyer 
was, ‘‘How did you like the lecture ?” They 
both replied favorably, but as it was rather a 
dry subject for family discussion, the boys did 
not feel inclined to enter into it just at that 
moment. 

Lucy remarked that she had some concert 
tickets that had been presented to her for a 
benevolent enterprise. If the boys would like 
to go with herself and mamma, they would be 
pleased to have them. Of course they both 
responded, “Yes.” As it was to be on the fol- 
lowing evening, they therefore arranged accord- 
ingly. They were both quite busy that day about 
their business, and did not think much about 
the concert until they started for home. Eph 
said he thought the principal singers were the 
Ruggles Street Quartette, and if that were the 
case, it would be interesting. 

They started off in great glee, for the evening 
was beautiful. Eph walked with his mother, 
and Josh with Lucy. They had not a very 
long walk, as it was to be at the Warren Street 
Chapel. Lucy found her companion very 
bright and entertaining, notwithstanding his 


ms VISIT TO THE V. M. C. U. 97 

peculiar expressions, and countrified and queer 
vernacular, which was fast giving away as he 
mingled with city people. Josh was more than 
pleased with his delightful companion, and 
they got to the chapel before they were aware 
of it. 

The music was what Eph expected, and they 
also had some fine recitations. Taking it all 
together, the time passed very pleasantly, and 
on the way home the conversation was con- 
tinued about various subjects, and the visit of 
Josh’s sister Mary was mentioned. Lucy said 
she hoped she would come, as she knew she 
would like her. 

Josh said she would find her much like him- 
self, “very green.” 

Lucy replied she did not care much about 
that, as it would soon wear off. She had seen 
a great deal of improvement in him since he 
came. It was what people were that she liked, 
not altogether how they appeared ; that would 
be all right in due time. 

They found they were getting near home. 
They had not walked as fast as they might, if 
the three were together, as Eph’s mother was 


98 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

not quite so sprightly as they, although a good 
walker. They found their father at home 
reading his paper, as he kept up with the 
times, although he was an active carpenter and 
builder, and was very busy just now finishing 
up some important contracts. They talked over 
the evening’s entertainment, and each retired 
for the night. 

The next morning they were all up as bright 
as larks, preparing for the morning meal, and 
getting ready to go about the business of the 
day. Josh was perfectly happy and contented, 
and time flew rapidly. Morning and night 
came in rapid succession, and he sought to im- 
prove every moment to the best advantage. He 
was fast improving in his business and gaining 
at the same time the good-will of his employers, 
particularly Mr. Tenny, who was much pleased 
with the progress he was making, and he was 
satisfied that he was a young man of good ster- 
ling qualities and that he would make his mark 
in the world. Such young men in these days 
are scarce, but the few who seek and persevere 
will find room on top. 

Eph was happily surprised when Josh told 


HIS VISIT TO THE Y M. C. U. 99 

him that he had received a letter in the morn- 
ing’s mail saying that Mary had decided to 
make them a visit, and would arrive on the fol- 
lowing Monday night, and they must be sure 
and meet her at the station, for she would be 
alone. This news pleased them both, as Josh 
was glad at the prospect of seeing his sister, 
and getting news directly from home, and Eph 
felt that he certainly would like her if she was 
anything like Josh ; so they went about their 
business with renewed zeal and activity. When 
evening came, after supper, the family were all 
present but Mrs. Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer com- 
menced the conversation by saying, “Well, 
my boys and Lucy, how did you like the enter- 
tainment last evening ? ” 

They all with one accord replied, “Very 
much. It was very fine. The singing was 
splendid.” 

Josh said he had never heard anything like 
it before, such harmony in every tone. He 
loved music very much, but never had the 
opportunity of practise or cultivating his voice. 
Mr. Sawyer replied, in a joking way, that Lucy 
would bring him out. Lucy seemed to think 


IOO JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

that he would not need much bringing, by the 
way he let out his voice the other evening while 
they were singing. 

During the conversation, Mrs. Sawyer came 
in and said she had received a letter from Mrs. 
Canzy, with a short note from Mary, saying 
she should be delighted to come, and knew she 
would have a good time, although it would be 
hard for her father and mother to have both 
of the older children away. But they felt that 
it would be very much for their good, and as 
the next boy and girl were fast getting to be 
useful and able to fill their places, on the 
whole, they thought it might be for the best. 

Josh had many questions to ask about them, 
for he had a desire to know more fully about 
them, notwithstanding he had received a letter 
himself, which he proceeded to read to them. 
Josh said, after putting his letter away, he 
thought that Lucy might favor them with a 
song and accompaniment on the piano. And 
having sung several times, much to their satis- 
faction, she struck up a familiar tune, in which 
they all joined with much heartiness. 

It was now drawing towards ten o’clock, the 


HIS VISI T TO THE Y. M. C. U. 


IOI 


two younger children having bid them good 
night about nine. In a short time they were 
all in their respective rooms, preparing for 
sleep. 

The next day, being Saturday, and rather a 
busy time in the forenoon at the store, the boys 
did not have much chance to talk about much 
of anything but business, but after dinner there 
was a little let up, and they had a chat about 
the coming week. It was now the time of the 
year (middle of October) when the weather 
was delightful for short trips in the suburbs in 
the electrics. Eph said the girls would be 
kept busy for awhile in sight-seeing, and as 
Lucy was familiar with the localities and the 
easiest way of reaching them, she no doubt 
would be glad of the opportunity to show the 
sights to Mary, and they must be contented to 
listen in the evening to their accounts of their 
trips and impressions of them. 

After supper, Eph said to Josh, “ Suppose 
we go over to the Christian Union for awhile.” 

“Agreed,” says Josh. 

When they arrived the rooms were pretty 
well filled, as was apt to be the case on Satur- 


102 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


day evening, as most of the young men could 
get there earlier. They amused themselves 
quite awhile in playing checkers. They then se- 
lected some interesting magazines, and spent 
the rest of the evening in reading. About 
9.30, they started for home, much pleased with 
their visit. Being rather fatigued, they very 
soon bid the family good night, and retired. 
In the morning, they made ready to attend 
church at St. Paul’s, and returned in ample 
time for dinner. 

At the Sawyer homestead, all had been edu- 
cated to regular habits in eating, rest, business, 
reading, recreation ; there was a regular time 
for everything. On week days they had their 
noon meal, which was dinner, every day at 
12.15 ; on Sunday, about an hour later. They 
usually spent a little more time at this meal, 
as the family were all present, and they en- 
joyed being together; but during the week, 
as business called Mr. Sawyer to different parts 
of the city quite often, he did not come to dinner, 
but took it where it was most convenient. But 
his time was so fully occupied through the week 
that he was glad to fest in quiet on Sunday. 


HIS VISIT TO THE V. M. C. U. 103 

Monday morning found the family stirring 
quite early, as the beautiful autumn weather 
produced life and vigor in the whole household, 
and the young men were promptly at the store 
about their business. Eph remarked to Josh 
that Mary was having a delightful day for her 
journey, and they both expressed a hope that 
she would get into the city on time. At this 
season of the year the trains were liable to be 
late, for the last of the mountain visitors were 
about returning to their homes, and the Western 
travel was turning towards Boston. 

After supper and a short rest, the young men 
started for the station. Fortunately, the train was 
only about twenty minutes late. A great multi- 
tude of people were pouring into the waiting 
rooms, for the train was long and heavily 
laden. Eph and Josh took their position at the 
gate entrance before the train arrived, for Josh 
did not intend to miss his sister. She came 
along full of smiles, in due time, for she recog- 
nized her brother first, and of course the greet- 
ing was joyful. Having introduced her to Eph, 
they divided her various belongings between 
them, altogether not very burdensome, as her 


104 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

trunk had been disposed of on the train. The 
distance not being great, they decided to walk 
home. Josh was full of inquiry in regard to 
each member of the family, especially father 
and mother ; from all of them a pleasant mes- 
sage was received. Eph began to think it was 
about time he had his turn in the conversation 
with Mary, whom he found very bright and 
intelligent, but of course, as the city folks 
might say, a little “ green,” — “raw,” as an Eng- 
lishman might say, but that was no drawback 
to Eph, for it was what she said, and her ap- 
pearance, that made an impression on his mind. 

She was rather above medium size, with quite 
dark hair, and eyes with a peculiar striking 
brightness and speaking expression, so full of 
the thought which her language conveyed. 

It need not be said that Eph was charmed 
with the face that glowed so much with health 
and beauty. They had now arrived at their 
home, and were immediately ushered into the 
presence of the family. Each and all extended 
a cordial reception, and after partaking of some 
light refreshments and the usual cup of tea, 
which all New Englanders appreciate, they 


HIS VISIT TO THE Y. M. C. If. 105 


were all delighted with Mary’s style of setting 
forth the wonderful description of the scenery 
in all its varied and golden coloring, of the wild 
and grand mountain views, of the charming 
mirror-like lake surfaces, of the tortuous and 
winding streams over their rocky and precipitous 
beds. All this afforded them special interest, as 
though this was the first time they had heard it 
pictured. But as the hour was getting late, 
they each, with a hearty good night, retired. 


CHAPTER XT. 


josh’s and eph’s sisters make many pleas- 
ant TRIPS. 



l HE next day being not a very busy one 


* with Lucy, the two girls started for a trip 
through Franklin Park, taking the car on Tre- 
mont Street. As the day was charming, Mary 
was struck with, the golden and crimson foliage. 
All through Roxbury, bordering the route, were 
here and there patches of the famous Roxbury 
pudding stone, found here and nowhere else, 
jutting up in ledges, and in other places in 
detached boulders by the roadside, always 
of the same character, — a conglomerated mass 
of reddish-brown pebbles imbedded in a gray- 
ish flux, each pebble distinct and individual. 
Beautiful residences are found all the way to 
Franklin Park. In the thickly settled parts of 
Roxbury, brick buildings and stores abound, 
with here and there a fine, ivy-covered stone 
church. Arriving at the Park, one of the pub- 


106 


JOSH'S AND EPH'S SISTERS. 107 


lie open carriages was taken for a seven-mile 
drive over fine, hard macadamized roads. 
Groups of children were scattered at intervals, 
in the quiet groves at play, while resting under 
the trees are the smaller children in baby 
carriages, with their mothers and nurses, and 
the larger ones romping and playing among 
the trees and bushes ; the boys and young men 
playing ball in the broad fields. 

In the course of the ride, various points of 
interest were pointed out by the driver. Occa- 
sionally halts were made at striking and exten- 
sive views of the scenery, one especially, taking 
in the view of the Blue Hills, in Milton, and its 
surroundings. After an hour of delight, the 
party returned and took the car for their des- 
tination. Lucy and Mary arrived home early, 
and were highly delighted with their trip. 

As the October days seemed to be prolonged 
with fine weather, they felt they must improve 
it to the utmost while it lasted ; accordingly, in 
the morning, they took a trip to Nantasket. 
The beautiful islands of Boston Harbor were a 
source of joy to Mary. She had never seen 
the ocean before, and as the blue salt waves 


Io8 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


dashed against the shores of the islands among 
the rocks it was a grand sight to her ; and then 
the myriads of sailing craft in all directions, 
their sails filled to the utmost with the swelling 
breeze as they dashed onward, buffeting the 
spray as it struck the bow of the little craft; 
and again, the majestic ship sailing away on its 
long voyage to India or other foreign clime, 
with every sail set to catch the breeze to waft 
it onward in its course ; and the great ocean 
steamers, too, with their decks thronged with 
passengers returning to their English or other 
European homes ; and the coastwise steamers, 
with their loaded freights, bound to Eastern and 
Southern ports, — all this was a new and inter- 
esting sight to Mary. 

Fort Warren, on George’s Island, was now 
near at hand ; the gray stone walls and bristling 
cannon mounted on the parapet frowned upon 
them. 

Mary said, “What is that tall, white shaft 
standing up so high out of the water?” 

“Why,” said Lucy, “that is Boston Light, 
standing on a little stony island directly at the 
entrance of the harbor. This warns mariners 


JOSH'S AND EPH'S SISTERS. 109 

approaching the coast that land is near, and 
marks the narrow entrance, for this is the 
main ship channel. The light in the lantern in 
the top is a revolving flashlight, that throws out 
a brilliant light at short intervals, and then it is 
dark ; the channel is very narrow and crooked, 
a very dangerous ledge of rocks is but a short 
distance below here, called Harding’s Ledge, 
and many a noble ship has been wrecked there 
in severe storms, in spite of the bravery of the 
sailors and skill of the commander.” 

The boat now landed at Pemberton, at the 
extreme point of the land called Nantasket. 
They decided to take the electric train which 
runs along the rocky beach, which during the 
summer months is alive with people, but now 
many have returned to their city homes. They 
buzz along rapidly towards the beach proper ; 
the houses become thicker as they pass along. 
The tide being nearly full, the waves rush up 
almost to the railroad track, and comb over on 
the hard sand with a rush and tremendous roar. 
Mary is absorbed, astonished, and completely 
carried away with the grand and impressive 
scene. They arrive at Nantasket station and 


no JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


get out, and are soon standing on the borders of 
the beach. There are not as many visitors as 
during the warm months, but it is not lonesome 
by any means. There are quite a good many 
here now, the more hardy bathers enjoying 
themselves in the surf, and if they do not re- 
main too long in the water, they come out ex- 
hilarated and refreshed by the briny bath. 
The girls lingered for a long time on the 
beach, and listened to the music of the band, 
and enjoyed a dinner of clam chowder and fried 
fish, which Mary liked very much. Fish 
dinners are one of the institutions of the beach. 

They strolled down to the chutes, which are 
something new here, and may also be to the 
reader. It is a pond of water. There are cars 
to draw people up ; one car is ascending, the 
other car is descending by a separate track. 
There is another track for the boats to be drawn 
up. Beyond these tracks are a series of steps 
making miniature waterfalls as the water runs 
down over the steps into the pond below. About 
midway between the spaces where the water runs 
over the steps is a shute for the boats, which are 
two wooden rails partly submerged by the run- 


JOSH'S AND EPH'S SISTERS. 


ill 


ning water. The bottoms of the boats are nearly 
flat, and have a guide of wood to keep the boats 
on the track ; now all is ready for the chute. 
The people at the top get into the boat, which 
holds about ten, sitting two on a seat. There are 
brass rails on each side to hold on tight. At 
the word, when all is ready, the boat is given a 
start, and down they go with great velocity, and 
when the boat strikes the water it skips along 
as a boy would skip a stone over the surface. 
Each boat has a guide in the stern with an oar, 
which steers the boat to the landing. The 
people get out, and the boat is drawn up for 
another trip. The experience is very exciting, 
and every one seems to enjoy it. It is quite 
harmless, and only needs care in getting in and 
out, and holding on tight while going down the 
chute. 

They then took a walk out on the rocks at 
the end of the beach. This gives a good view 
of the bathers which are near, and also a fine 
view of the broad ocean as far as they can see. 
Minot’s Ledge Light is about four miles dis- 
tant, and about one and one half to the nearest 
land. It is built on a lone rock at the end of a 


1 12 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


ledge, which is completely covered at half tide. 
The sea in a severe storm goes often completely 
over the top of the lantern. In this dreary spot 
the keeper and his assistants have to live 
through the severe storms of eight months of 
the year, with the enjoyment of the society of 
each other, and an occasional row to shore 
in their boat, to be taken by turns, for only one 
can be absent at one time. In 1851, there stood 
upon this spot an iron lighthouse of octagonal 
form supported by eight columns of iron at 
the corners, eight inches in diameter, and one 
in the center, twelve inches. The house was 
composed of three divisions ; the lower, with 
an open space of twenty feet under it between 
it and the water, was for fuel, provisions, and 
oil ; the next above was living and sleeping 
accommodations for the men ; the next above 
was the lantern. The whole of the structure 
was about eighty feet high, the columns were 
let into the rock several feet, but yet in the tre- 
mendous storm of the seventeenth day of April, 
1851, that entire structure was swept away, and 
three men lost their lives, not a vestige being 
left. The present structure is built of solid 


JOSH'S AND EPH'S SISTERS. 113 

granite from the rock upon which it stands, and 
was about three years in course of erection. 

While the girls had been enjoying them- 
selves in the various ways mentioned, the tide 
had turned, and fallen nearly to low water, 
the beach was now quite bare for several hun- 
dred feet down to the water, the swell and surf 
had nearly subsided, to be renewed only on the 
incoming tide ; the bathers had to walk quite a 
distance to find water. It always is much 
pleasanter to bathe in an incoming tide. The 
phenomena of rise and fall of tide is a great as- 
tonishment to those who have been reared away 
from the seashore, and to Mary it was no ex- 
ception. They decided that they had better 
make preparations to return, and started for the 
boat wharf. As Lucy suggested that it would 
be well to go by boat all the way on their re- 
turn, and the boat leaves every thirty minutes, 
they did not have long to wait. As the tide 
was low, their course was very crooked, as they 
had to follow the channel. Sometimes it seemed 
that the boat was going to run on shore, but all 
at once it would turn square round in almost 
an opposite direction ; but it added to the variety, 


1 14 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


as they met different views of the islands and 
headlands in their course, but by the time they 
got down to Pemberton, the water being so much 
deeper, their course was comparatively straight ; 
but as they came up towards Long Island, the 
channel became more crooked. They had a 
fine view of the distant Blue Hills of Milton, 
which is said to be the first land seen from the 
ocean as the mariner comes up Massachusetts 
Bay. The distant shores of Hingham, Wey- 
mouth, and Quincy come in view as they sail 
up the harbor. They passed the rock on which 
is a square stone beacon, to warn the sailors of 
danger, called Nix’s Mate. There is a legend 
connected with this island. Many years ago a 
Captain Nix was coming into the harbor with 
his vessel, and his mate tried to raise a mutiny 
and take command. He killed the captain, but 
the second mate seized him, and with the aid of 
the crew took him ashore at this island and 
executed him. The mate stated that if he 
was innocent the island would be washed away, 
but if guilty, the island would stand. The 
island has been washed away, a very natural 
thing to do in that exposed locality. They now 


JOSH'S AND EPH'S SISTERS . 1 15 

pursue their course into the main ship channel, 
which is quite straight. Close to the left is 
the end of Long Island, called Long Island 
Head, where is located a lighthouse which is 
six miles to the Boston Custom House, and 
three miles back to the Boston Light, and ten 
miles from the latter to Minot’s Ledge Light. 
On the right, going up, is Deer Island, where 
the city institutions are located. They landed 
at Rowe’s Wharf, and took a car which goes 
through Bowdoin Square, and got off at 
Temple Street, and are soon at home. Both 
are tired and hungry, for the salt breeze and 
exertion have given them a good appetite. ' The 
boys were full of questions as to their varied 
experiences, and it fell to Mary to reply mostly, 
as it was all new to her. 

She went into it with enthusiasm, as she could 
hardly contain herself to relate moderately the 
varied sights, and the wonderful phenomena of 
the rise and fall of the tides, and its peculiar 
effects upon the beach, which she had wit- 
nessed. She said she had felt a strong inclina- 
tion to take a bath, but thought it best this time 
to see its effect upon others, and not distract 


II 6 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

herself from the full enjoyment of the whole 
scene and surroundings by being a participant 
in the bathing portion of it, but would rather 
wait until the boys could go with them and 
enjoy it all together. 


CHAPTER XII. 


MARY IS INTERESTED IN TIIE WEST END BRANCH 
OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND FRE- 
QUENTLY VISITS THERE. 



UCY said the next morning, after the boys 


^ had gone to the store, that she thought 
they had better keep quiet to-day, and rest after 
several days of hard jaunts, and they would go 
over to the West End branch of the Public 
Library, which had recently been opened, and 
spend a little time reading. 

Mary said she would be delighted to go, and 
a short walk found them at the place which has 
been mentioned before as Dr. Lowell’s church. 
It has been fitted up by the city for its present 
use, and is well adapted for the purpose. 

“ What a nice place this is,” said Mary, “ to 
spend an hour or two, and rest as well as amuse 
and instruct one’s mind, and gain such valuable 
information. I was always so fond of reading, 
but at home it was such hard work all the time 


Il8 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


to do the housework, and take care of the young 
children, and do the mending, the patching, and 
sewing for father and the boys, besides all our 
own, mother and I used to get most worn out, 
particularly in the long summer days ; and the 
nights would be so hot in our stifled rooms that 
we could not any of us sleep with any kind of 
comfort, and the humdrum life would nearly 
wear us all out. But just as we were about 
ready to give up, a favorable turn came, cooler 
nights and sweet rest would revive our drooping 
energies, the harvest came, crops were abun- 
dant, the markets were favorable, and hopes 
revived, longer evenings and cooler weather 
made home and our few comforts desirable. 
Josh would get hold of some new books to read 
aloud (how, we never knew, but he had a way 
of doing it whenever he went to Newport to 
market). Josh had a clear voice and was fond 
of reading to us, and we all appreciated it, I 
assure you. After a time, when the men had 
got through with the fall work, and outside 
business had been done to make everything safe 
for our long, cold winter, and our indoor work 
had been so far completed as to make things 


MARY AT THE BRANCH LIBRARY. 119 

now easy and comfortable (for the toils of 
women are never ended in the country), we 
would sit down in the evening and enjoy our 
family gatherings and home comforts. Later on 
when the snow began to fall, then the young 
people had sleighrides, and social gatherings, 
singing parties, and all the various enjoyments 
known to people who have been accustomed to 
country life, and we would forget all about the 
trials that beset us during the trying times of the 
past, and enjoy the present to the utmost.” 

Lucy was so much interested in Mary’s de- 
scription of the country life that she did not 
realize that the time had passed so rapidly. It 
was nearly dinner time, and they prepared to go 
home at once. They knew that they could come 
again soon, it was so near. After dinner the 
girls sat down again to talk, and this time Lucy 
had something to say of herself and city life. 
She was born in Boston, and spent nearly all 
her days here. 

Her mother was also born here, and belonged 
to an old Boston family. Her father came here 
when quite a young man, to seek his fortune in 
the growing city. He was poor, like many 


120 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


boys that come to a town for a start in life ; he 
had no trade, having been brought up on a 
farm in Maine. He immediately engaged him- 
self to a prominent carpenter and builder at 
the North End, and by strict attention to busi- 
ness gained the confidence of his employer, 
who used every effort to help his apprentice 
along in his business. He had good habits in 
every respect, and spent his time evenings in 
gaining information which would be useful 
in his business. When he became of age, his 
employer advanced him to the position of 
superintendent of his large and growing busi- 
ness, and he eventually became his partner. 
He had formed pleasant social relations in the 
church which he now attends, and it was there 
he found his wife. Their union had been pros- 
perous and happy, as well as all his business 
relations. His dealings had always been among 
the better class of business men and capitalists, 
and they have prospered, and the children have 
been well educated. Ephraim had a good start 
in life, and Lucy always felt that she should 
do something for her own support, and having 
a good musical education, and talent in that 


MARY AT THE BRANCH LIBRARY. 1 21 


direction, she had sought to improve, to ad- 
vantage to herself as well as her parents. The 
class of scholars she had taught were from the 
best families, and she was happy to say her 
efforts had been appreciated. 

The afternoon was beautiful, and the girls 
started off again for the library. They were 
soon engaged in reading, and occupied the hour 
or more to a good advantage. As they came 
out, Mary remarked that she did not know of 
anything that would please her more as an occu- 
pation than to be an assistant in the library. 
She said that the girls seemed to have some 
spare time to themselves. 

Lucy replied that her father was well ac- 
quainted with the leading men who had control 
of affairs. They took a little walk around the 
new State House extension and on the com- 
mon. That portion that had not been disturbed 
by 4he new subway was very pleasant. In 
former days the common was a great resort 
for the surrounding population, but business 
advances have altered the neighborhood very 
much, and quiet and privacy could hardly be 
found here now, but its beauty and time-honored 


122 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


memories will linger as long as any portion of 
the spot remains, or even a single tree extends 
its noble branches heavenward. 

As they returned homeward, they met the 
boys returning from their daily duties at the 
store. They were all pleased to meet in this 
manner, and walked on chatting together until 
they reached the house. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


THE GIRLS VISIT THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE 

PUBLIC LIBRARY; MARY MAKES ARRANGE- 
MENT AS ASSISTANT AT THE WEST 
END BRANCH. 

A FTER breakfast, Lucy said to Mary that 
she had some good news for her. 

4 4 Oh ! what is it?” said Mary. 

Lucy had mentioned the matter, about the 
library to her father, and fortunately he had 
some business with the trustrees the next day, 
and brought the matter up ; and they subse- 
quently had a talk with the librarian, and he 
decided that they needed more assistants at that 
branch, as it was increasing in interest, and he 
would like to see the young lady this morning 
at the office. 

44 We will get ready to go up to Dartmouth 
Street at once,” Mary replied. “ Of course we 
will ; nothing would suit me better.” 


123 


124 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 

They went right over to Tremont Street, and 
took a Huntington Avenue car. 

They found the librarian in his office, and he 
was soon ready to receive them. They found 
him a prompt man of business, and talked upon 
the business in hand only. He discovered very 
soon that Mary was not a city girl, which was 
greatly in her favor, after the high indorsement 
he had received from Mr. Sawyer. He asked 
Mary if she thought she would like the position. 

She promptly replied that she had no doubt 
that she would, that it would be a little awk- 
ward for her at first, but she hoped in a short 
time to become familiar with its details, and it 
would then be easy and pleasant for her. 

He said she might begin her duties the fol- 
lowing Monday morning, and they thanked 
him and bid him good morning, but did not 
leave the building, as there was much to interest 
them for some time. 

Having feasted their eyes upon the paintings, 
and as it was getting near the dinner hour, they 
set out for home. As the day was pleasant, 
they walked through the public garden, and 
across the common on their way. They were 


MARY AS AN ASISTANT. 125 

a little in advance of the boys, and Mary was 
impatient for them to come, for she wanted to 
tell them the news. It was rather a surprise 
to them, for the girls had been very wist about 
it. 

However, they were glad with them and felt 
satisfied that it would be pleasant for all of them. 
Mary could not express sufficient gratitude to 
Mr. Sawyer for his kindness. 

He was pleased to know that his services 
were appreciated, and mentioned that it was 
only a small matter and common thing with 
him. 

After dinner, the girls and Mrs. Sawyer had 
a long talk on the peculiar way they had be- 
come acquainted, and how they had all been 
drawn to each other in the manner they had, 
and had every reason to believe it would be 
lasting. 

Mrs. Sawyer was a very kind and sympathetic 
woman, of quick discerning mind, of unques- 
tioned reliability. She mentioned, with a great 
deal of feeling, how rapidly Mary and her 
brother had adapted themselves to the surround- 
ings and thrown off their peculiar style of 


126 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

speaking incident to their country life and edu- 
cation. Such people, she said, always made 
the best and most reliable city residents. 

The city people were rapidly returning from 
their mountain and seashore vacations, and 
Lucy’s music pupils were again beginning to 
take lessons, so that her time from now on 
would be well occupied. 

As it was drawing near the end of the week, 
Mary felt that she must devote the rest of it to 
sewing, and replenishing her wardrobe, and 
Lucy had a great deal to attend to preparatory 
to her music lessons. The girls, therefore, were 
left pretty much to themselves. They were 
both industrious, and wanted to fill in their time 
to the best advantage. 

Saturday night came around before they were 
aware of it, and they both felt that they had 
not accomplished as much as they desired. 

The boys came home early, as they usually 
did on Saturday evening, as they depended 
upon making the Christian Union a visit at that 
time. Quite often they had an interesting 
lecture from Dr. E. E. Hale, or some other 
prominent Unitarian clergyman, which was 


MARY AS AN ASSISTANT. 1 27 

always interesting and useful. Very frequently 
they gave a short service Sunday afternoon or 
evening, accompanied with appropriate music, 
which was always instructive and beneficial. 
Their walk home was pleasant, and their con- 
versation was in reference to the evening’s 
entertainment, and was invariably beneficial to 
them both. After spending a short time at 
home in conversation with Mr. Sawyer, who 
had a number of questions to ask in relation to 
their progress, he sought advice with them for 
their good, which was duly appreciated by 
both. They bid the family good night and 
retired. 

When Sunday morning came, the whole 
family were ready at the appointed time to sit 
down at the morning meal together. This was 
a custom that Mr. Sawyer had always adhered 
to strictly. It was the way he had been edu- 
cated, and Mrs. Sawyer likewise, and they 
desired to adhere to it and bring their children 
up in the same manner. It was no task for 
them to do it. 

Mr. Sawyer, being one of the vestrymen of 
the church, was always very particular to have 


128 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

all his family in their seats at the beginning of 
the service, and they did not need any urging 
to do so. Lucy, being connected with the 
choir, was always in her place, and filled it 
acceptably to the congregation. 

Josh felt that he would like to take part in 
the singing, but he knew that his time had not 
come. It was his intention to take lessons in the 
cultivation of his voice as soon as he could, for 
he was well aware that it was rather harsh and 
needed considerable practise, as well as proper 
instruction ; but Lucy had been of great service, 
and she had found him a willing pupil. 

After dinner, the whole family gathered in the 
parlor, and they had a very interesting service 
of reading, singing, and appropriate remarks 
by Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer, and they all felt they 
enjoyed it better than in any other way, and 
was quite as profitable to them. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


mary’s experience at the library, and 

VISIT WITH THE BOYS AND LUCY TO MR. 
tenny’s HOME. 

A A ONDAY morning, after breakfast, found 
* * * Mary in readiness to begin her duties at 
the library. The beautiful day and short walk 
exhilarated her spirits, and she engaged in her 
assigned , duties with alacrity. She found it 
rather perplexing at first to get into the neces- 
sary routine required in the modern library 
system, but it began to grow brighter as she 
advanced, and she felt that the perplexities 
would vanish in a short time, and if only per- 
severance and energy were required, she was 
sure all difficulties would be overcome. 

She found the assistant librarian, to whose 
charge she had been assigned, was a lady of 
refinement and culture, and she was quite sure 
she would like her as she became more ac- 
quainted with her. The time flew so rapidly 


129 


I 3° JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

that the noon hour arrived before she was 
aware of it. She hastily made ready to go to 
dinner at twelve, so that they could be all 
together at the regular hour at dinner. After 
a short rest she returned to the library; there 
were more visitors in the afternoon than in the 
morning, for after school a great many chil- 
dren came in for books, which kept them quite 
busy. The arrangement that had been made 
required the assistant to be there in the even- 
ing until 8 p. m., two evenings of the week. 
These evenings were Tuesday and Thursday, 
for the present. 

After supper, Lucy was anxious to know 
how she got along at the library, and if she 
liked it. To all questions she responded fa- 
vorably, and had no doubt but everything would 
go along well, and she would like it more and 
more as the time passed. She went about her 
duties next day with increased confidence in 
herself, and respect of Miss Smith, the lady in 
charge. 

Mary now considered that she had an aim 
and object in life worth striving for, and as 
each day came and went, she felt that her 


MARY VISITS MR. TENNY'S HOME. 131 

mind had been broadened, and she was ready 
for new and increased possibilities. And thus 
the fall and winter moved on, with lectures and 
simple amusements, and occasionally a good 
concert, or the opera, or even a good play at 
one of the better class of theaters, occupied not 
only her time, but some other member of the 
family with her. Both she and Josh had 
wonderfully improved in everything. The raw 
country rustics had become the polished, bright, 
intelligent lady and gentleman worthy to fill 
any position in society. Josh and Mary had 
abundance to write about to their parents, and 
they were glad to do so, as much as their time 
would permit, for it was to their benefit, as 
well as help to their father and mother, to 
know that their children were doing so well, 
and they wrote encouragingly to them. 

After Josh had been established in Boston 
about four months, Mr. Tenny suggested to 
Ephraim and Joshua to invite the two girls to 
come to his house at Brookline to spend the 
evening with his family, and become acquainted 
with his son and daughter. The son was about 
a year younger than Ephraim, and the daugh- 


132 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


ter about the age of Lucy, the son having 
graduated at Harvard, and the daughter at 
Wellesley. The son had been in his father’s 
office about six months, and of course the boys 
had become somewhat acquainted with him. 
He was an excellent young man, much like his 
father in many respects, and has shown a 
special aptitude for business, and taken hold 
of it with zeal and energy. 

Mr. Tenny had arranged for them to come 
out the following Wednesday evening. The 
night was a beautiful one, and they set out 
early and took a reservoir car. 

Mr. Tenny ’s residence was a very com- 
fortable and pleasant one among the hills of 
Brookline, not far from the avenue. He had 
bought a number of acres many years ago, before 
the rise in land in that vicinity, and had sold a good 
deal of it at large advantage ; but he still had 
abundance left, which he had improved so' that 
the surroundings of his residence were pleasant. 

When they arrived, they found a gathering 
of young people, which made it pleasant. The 
boys and girls were introduced to Mr. Tenny’s 
family before mingling with the company. 


MARY VISITS MR. TENNY'S HOME. 1 33 

After an agreeable evening spent listening to 
songs, and music on the piano, and dancing, 
with light refreshments and chatting with their 
new-made friends, they took their departure, 
with a cordial invitation to renew the visit. 
They were all delighted with the fine time they 
had been permitted to enjoy. 

The girls seemed to vie with each other in 
their admiration of Mr. Henry Tenny, and the 
young men were equally charmed with Miss 
Caroline. They thought of nothing else to talk 
about on their way home but the charms of 
all the family, Mr. and Mrs. Tenny were so 
bright and entertaining, and greeted them all 
with such cordial hospitality. The next day 
Mr. Henry Tenny took occasion to say, when 
Josh mentioned to him how pleasant a time he 
had the night before, 4 4 By the way, I was par- 
ticularly charmed with your sister. Do they 
have many such up in the woods where you 
came from? ” 

Josh replied, 44 1 think not. The 4 woods ’ do 
not contain many such.” 

At this quick repartee, the young men smiled 
and separated. 


134 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

When the boys had the opportunity during the 
day, during the lull of business, they had much 
to say of the enjoyment of the previous evening. 

The first greeting from the girls when they 
arrived home was, “Didn’t we have a fine time 
last night? ” 


V 


CHAPTER XV. 


VERY PLEASANT RELATIONS EXIST AMONG 
THE YOUNG PEOPLE. MR. TENNY 
MAKES UP A PARTY TO VISIT 
HIS VERMONT HOME. 



HE past few months had passed away very 


A rapidly with all of them, and the city 
families had filled up their time in enjoyment in 
much the same way as usual. Josh and Mary 
had continually been on the alert to improve 
their opportunities, and at the same time gather 
in such recreation as was beneficial and useful 
to them. 

Lucy kept on with her music lessons and such 
enjoyment as she and Mary could participate in. 
The boys were constantly together, except when 
the girls were with them at some evening enter- 
tainment. Mr. Henry Tenny called quite fre- 
quently to see the family, more particularly 
Mary, for whom he had great respect, and he 
thought her a girl of good sterling qualities as 


135 


136 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

well as having remarkable decision and energy 
of character. He saw much in her that was the 
counterpart of Josh. 

Mary had noticed that Ephraim frequently on 
a Sunday afternoon of late took a ride to Brook- 
line in the cars, and quite often did not get 
home to supper. Her quick mind led her to 
understand the reason, particularly as Mr. 
Tenny’s visits were more frequent than formerly, 
to which she did not object ; and Josh seemed 
perfectly content to pursue the even tenor of his 
way, as Lucy was always happy in his com- 
pany. Thus time passed along swimmingly, 
and all seemed to be joyful. 

Their evenings were quiet, well occupied in 
attending the various lectures in which they 
were interested, and Josh and Mary were ad- 
vancing rapidly in becoming like other city 
people in manners and conversation. The 
winter was passing along very rapidly, and the 
boys had progressed so fast during the several 
preceding months that Mr. Tenny felt like re- 
lieving himself as much as possible from the 
active cares and duties. Fortunately, Eph was 
filling his place so well that both he and Mr. 


THE PARTY GOES TO VERMONT. 137 

Smith, his partner, felt that the time was not 
very far distant when they both might retire 
from the business, for they were assured that 
it would be in good hands in the persons of 
Mr. Henry Tenny, Ephraim, and Joshua. 

The spring opened with a great advance in 
business activity. The abundant crops of the 
previous year in the West and South, and the 
settlement of the finances of the country on a 
permanent business basis, established confidence 
among all classes. Labor was well employed, 
and confidence everywhere became fixed in the 
minds of all classes that a season of prosperity 
would be enjoyed in the late summer months. 
Mr. Tenny felt that it would be a good time to 
take a vacation, and as Josh had been very 
faithful at his duties, he decided to make up a 
little party for a visit to Northern Vermont. 
Mr. Sawyer was consulted in regard to the 
matter, and it was proposed that Mr. and Mrs. 
Tenny, Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer, Josh and Lucy, 
should compose the party, as it was not advis- 
able for any more to be absent from the store 
at the same time. It was finally decided to 
leave the following week. Josh apprised his 


138 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


family of his contemplated visit, which of 
course gave them a good deal of pleasure. 

It was arranged that Josh’s father should 
meet them at the railroad station, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Sawyer and Lucy should go with Mr. and 
Mrs. Tenny to their friends at Newport. But 
Mr. Canzy suggested that he had plenty of 
room in his carriage, as well as at home, for 
Lucy, that the arrangement might please the 
young people ; and when they drove over to 
visit his family, they both might return with 
them for a visit. 

This plan seemed satisfactory to all, and it 
was carried out. It was about 4 p. m. when 
they arrived at Newport, and the August days 
gave them ample time to reach Mr. Canzy’s 
home before sunset. Lucy was charmed with 
the drive and the fresh country air. They 
passed several small lakes, and through a 
number of patches of forest groves, which was 
an experience new to Lucy, and she enjoyed it 
very much. 

Josh was ready to explain everything as they 
passed along, as he was perfectly familiar with 
the whole country, as he had traveled many 


THE PARTY GOES TO VERMONT. 139 

times over the road to market. They arrived 
in season for a good country supper. 

Mrs. Canzy greeted them both joyfully, for 
she had heard from Josh so much about Lucy 
that she already felt that she was acquainted. 
Of course she was exceedingly glad to see her 
son, of whom she had received such good re- 
ports, and the brothers and sisters then came 
forth to greet dear Josh and their new friend. 

It was quite a new experience for Lucy to 
sleep in such quiet surroundings, for she had 
always lived in the city, with more or less bustle 
and confusion ; and the air was so much purer 
here than in her city home, and she, very 
fatigued after her long ride in the train, slept 
soundly and awoke early to hear the beautiful 
songsters in the surrounding forest trees, and ha- 
stened to get up without much care for her toilet, 
to catch a hasty glimpse of them as they flitted 
among the branches displaying their bright and 
lovely colorings. 

The family seemed to be astir, and she con- 
cluded she would be one among them. She 
therefore leisurely completed her toilet and 
made her appearance below. They all saluted 


140 jostf CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

her very kindly in their peculiar style, which 
made a deep impression, as she felt it was sin- 
cere and the honest expression of real sym- 
pathy. 

Josh was anxious to know how she spent the 
night, and whether she rested well after her 
fatiguing journey. 

She replied that she was as bright and as full 
of joy as the lovely birds that had awakened 
her so early from her slumbers. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


THE VISITORS BECOME ACQUAINTED, AND HAVE 
PLEASANT TIMES. 



'HE surroundings of the country home were 


1 delightful. It was somewhat elevated 
above the road, on a knoll of high ground 
which gave a pleasant outlook. The land in 
the immediate vicinity was quite flat. In front 
of the house was an extensive lawn interspersed 
here and there with elms and oaks, but they 
did not interfere with the view of the lovely 
little lake in the distance, shimmering in the 
early sunshine, and all around the beautiful 
coloring of the forest trees met the eye. In the 
rear, the well-tilled farms, with their heavy 
crops of grain, and other produce now approach- 
ing ripeness, met the view. By this time all the 
family had assembled for breakfast. 

Mr. Canzy mentioned the names of each of 
the children in turn, beginning with the oldest, 
leaving out Josh and Mary, whom Lucy knew 


142 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

well. Sammy, Lizzie, Tommy, and Katie the 
baby, each a picture of health, and as they all 
passed around the visitor, she had a pleasant 
word to say to each, with a kiss for the dear 
baby. 

After breakfast, Josh proposed that they 
should take a ride to the lake, and catch some 
trout, as all the lakes in the vicinity are famous 
fishing resorts. Lucy was delighted with the 
proposal, and Josh said if father and mother 
could spare Sammy and Lizzie, he would give 
them a treat and take them along. 

This arrangement seemed satisfactory to them 
all, and they made ready to start. While Josh 
was getting the horse and carriage, their mother 
got up a generous lunch, in case they did 
not catch as many fish as they expected, and 
when all was ready the happy company started. 

The drive to the lake was about six miles, 
and it was delightful through the woods road, 
and Lucy enjoyed it very much, and surely 
Josh was about as happy as he could be; and 
the two children were as happy in their way, 
for it was not often that they had the privilege 
of so delightful a companion. 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT 1 43 

The lake soon came into view, but they were 
not there yet. Distances are deceitful in the 
country, as well as looking out upon the ocean, 
but in good time they arrived. While Josh was 
preparing the lines and getting the nets ready 
the children got the bait (for the trout are very 
particular about their diet, and like little live 
fish for their breakfast) . 

Josh knew just how to go to work to capture 
them. Sammy took out the horse to feed in 
the pasture close by, and Lizzy got the pails 
ready to pick the blueberries which were 
plentiful and near at hand. Josh had every- 
thing now arranged for a start. There was a 
shady little brook that emptied its waters into 
the lake, not far distant, and Lucy insisted on 
taking one of the oars, and trying her hand at 
rowing. She had made some attempts at row- 
ing at the seashore several years before, but 
had almost forgotten how ; but under the in- 
struction of Josh, she soon got along well, and 
they merrily rowed over the bright silver sur- 
face to the coveted little brook, the home of 
the speckled beauties. 

Lucy thought this enchanted spot was the 


144 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

most beautiful she ever saw. It was a perfect 
bower of loveliness. The overhanging branches 
cast their reflection upon the placid waters, the 
wild ferns in their varied shades of green, the 
wild flowers in their beautiful foliage, adorned 
the banks, and made the whole surroundings a 
perfect vista of beauty. 

Josh said they were getting near the fishing 
spot, and they prepared their lines, for each 
wanted to get praise for the first fish. He 
kept his oar at hand to guide the little boat 
along. 

Lucy cast her line, and Josh was ready quite 
as soon. After a little quiet waiting and watch- 
ing, Lucy felt a sharp pull, and landed a pound 
and a half trout in the boat. Josh soon had an- 
other, and they fished on, for they had struck 
into a school of them, and it kept them both 
busy for some time. 

They had all the fish they wanted, and they 
concluded to return and prepare their dinner, 
and as they had all the implements with them 
in the carriage, they soon had a fire, and the 
children had gathered berries, to add to their 
feast. 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT 145 

Josh was an expert in anything of this kind, 
and by the time that Lucy had the table ready 
(which was, of course, rather a rude affair, of 
two boards across a couple of logs), he had the 
trout smoking hot upon the table, and they all 
sat down with a hearty zest to a dinner good 
enough for a king, which they fully enjoyed. 

Sammy remarked, “ Isn’t this jolly?” 

“ I guess ’tis,” says Lizzie. “ Don’t it seem 
nice to have Josh around again, full of his fun 
and pranks? ” 

“ I didn’t know he was so funny,” remarked 
Lucy. 

“ Oh, you haven’t seen him in his best mood 
when on a fishing picnic like this,” chimed in 
Sammy. “ He’ll let himself out arter awhile.” 

They kept on eating and talking till they 
could eat no more. Mother’s nice cookies and 
doughnuts filled in the gaps to a charm, and the 
nice, fresh blueberries were good. 

Lucy said those trout were splendid, and 
tasted as nice as possible, and she thought Josh 
was a fine cook if he was a country lad, at 
which Josh got off one of his funny jokes and 
set them all to laughing. Then they all joined 


146 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

in a few songs, and strolled round through the 
walks near the lake for a little exercise, while 
Sammy and Lizzie picked up the dishes and 
made ready to start for home, not forgetting to 
secure the remainder of the fish and berries, 
and safely deposit them in the carriage. 

Josh and Lucy enjoyed their walk through 
the woods, and when a good view of the lake 
presented itself, they sat down under the shade 
of a tree and rested while they enjoyed the 
scene. As the sun had turned his course west- 
ward, and was sinking towards the horizon, 
they concluded to retrace their steps. The 
children had put everything away in the car- 
riage in proper shape, and Sammy had gone 
for Dobbin as he heard the approaching foot- 
steps and familiar laugh of Josh. 

Sammy soon arrived with Dobbin, for he 
had enjoyed a rest and plenty of good feed, 
and was full of life, ready to take them over 
the six miles in good time. The ride was 
delightful through the shaded road. 

In about an hour they drove up to the farm- 
house, all exceedingly pleased with their trip, to 
be greeted joyfully by the whole household ; 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT 147 

even the baby with her cooing, and Towzer with 
his hoarse bark, and the tabby cat with her 
purring and gentle mew. 

As it was quite early yet, Josh suggested that 
Lucy take a walk over the farm with him, and 
see the crops, which were in their ripening 
beauty. This was all new to Lucy, as she had 
not spent any time in the country at this season 
of the year. She was much pleased with all 
she saw, and enjoyed the freshness of the air 
as they strolled through the different fields, and 
then returned in ample time for supper. 

In the evening, after the family had gathered, 
the labors of the day having ended, Josh’s 
parents had many questions to ask ; not only of 
their enjoyments of the day, but also as to 
Josh’s and Lucy’s experience in the great 
city. 

Lucy said she could answer for herself. As 
regards the day, she had spent one of the most 
delightful days of her life. It was all so new 
to her, the weather so charming, the ride 
through the woods, rowing on the lake, fishing 
in the lovely brook, and the exciting fun of 
catching the lively speckled beauties, and then 


1 48 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

the grand feast of eating the delicious fish, it 
was all full of enjoyment and pleasure. 

Josh said he had endeavored from time to 
time, by writing, to let them know how he was 
getting along and what he saw. 

His father said they were all glad to get his 
letters and have them read by some member of 
the family. 

Josh proposed to have a good sing before the 
younger members of the family retired, and as 
they had no organ or piano, Josh said he would 
get his violin out, though he supposed the 
strings were all rotten from disuse, as they had 
not been used for more than a year. 

Sammy spoke up and said he guessed as how 
they had been, for he did not let the old violin 
slumber, and had managed to get new strings when 
required, so Josh said he had better trot it out. 
Sammy did not wait for the second invitation, but 
produced it at once and commenced tuning it up. 

Josh said, “ What shall we sing? ” 

Mr. Canzy said, “Any of the old tunes that 
we are all familiar with.” 

Josh says, “Suppose we start with ‘Corona- 
tion,’” 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT 149 

So Sammy started up the good old tune. 
Father, mother, Josh and Lucy, Sammy with 
his rich tenor voice, Josh with his heavy bass, 
and the two girls with their fine soprano and 
contralto voices, with the aid of the father and 
mother, fairly made the old house ring and 
echo from every part. 

After a few tunes had been sung, Josh says, 
“ Sammy, let me try the old fiddle,” and after 
manipulating the strings a few minutes to get 
his hand in (for he had not touched a violin 
since he left home), he struck up another tune, 
and as he warmed in interest he made the old 
instrument respond in all the eloquence of olden 
times. They all clapped their hands with joy. 
Even Sammy felt that his older brother was his 
master in the use of this wonderful instrument. 

After singing several tunes they felt, as it 
was getting late, they had better break up and 
retire. As they bid each other good night, they 
expressed great joy in the happy gathering. 

Josh and Lucy felt they had spent one of the 
happiest days of their lives, and affectionately 
bid each other good night. 

The following days were spent in enjoyment 


15 ° JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


round the farm and the immediate neighbor- 
hood, with occasional drives to the pleasantest 
points of interest. On Saturday morning after 
their arrival, they received word from Mr. 
Tenny that Mr. Sawyer and his wife, together 
with his wife and himself, would start early 
Monday morning and drive over for a day’s 
visit, and they must arrange to return with them 
at night, and also have Josh and Lucy come 
along and spend a few days. This was not 
altogether unexpected, as Mr. Tenny had sug- 
gested something of the kind upon their arrival 
at Newport. Accordingly, the family set about 
making their plans for that purpose. 

Sunday morning, the whole family made 
preparations to attend meeting at the “ Cor- 
ners,” about a mile distant. The morning was 
fine. Josh and Lucy, with Sammy and Lizzie, 
decided to walk, leaving the carriage for the 
older people and two younger children (for 
even the baby went to meeting the same as 
others every Sunday, and had learned to behave 
with the utmost propriety). Those that were to 
walk set off a little in advance. On arriving at 
the meeting-house, Josh recognized many of his 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT. 151 

old friends, who were glad to see him and won- 
dered who the beautiful young lady was. But 
Josh did not enlighten them ; all would find out 
in time, who cared to know. 

Lucy kept with the old folks and other mem- 
bers of the family, as soon as they arrived. 
Sammy and Lizzie sang in the choir, and 
when the leader came along Josh cordially 
shook hands with him, and then introduced him 
to Lucy as a friend from Boston, who came up 
to make them a little visit. He invited Josh 
with his. friend to take a seat in the choir, as 
he well knew that Josh was a good singer. 

As there was but one meeting-house at the 
‘‘Corners,” the congregation was made up of 
the better class of the population, and although 
the church was Congregational, the minister 
was very liberal in his views, and very popular. 

When the choir sang the first hymn, the 
people turned around in astonishment at the 
acquisition to the choir of two such wonderful 
voices, and were highly pleased, and congratu- 
lated them at the close of the service, and 
hoped they would have the pleasure of hearing 
them again. Josh replied they possibly might. 


1 5 2 


JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE . 


The young people started for home, and 
arrived about the same time the carriage did. 
The noonday meal was a simple repast, and the 
afternoon was spent in reading and quiet rest. 
The evening was devoted to singing hymns, 
and they all retired early, knowing that the 
following would be a busy day. 

On the morrow all were astir early. Lucy 
was as bright as a lark after the long rest, and 
felt that as she had become a resident of the 
country she would naturally fall into the custom 
of early rising, and she was not sure but she 
would as a city resident, as she felt so much 
better for the habit. 

Mr. Tenny and Mr. Sawyer, with their wives, 
arrived about 9 A. m., Monday morning, and 
after the cordial greetings and shaking of hands 
were over (as they were all acquainted), plans 
were laid to have a day of enjoyment. As Mr. 
Tenny’s horse was a little tired, they concluded 
to give him a rest. At the same time they could 
enter into a little reminiscence of the early life 
of the Tenny and Canzy families, and relate 
many incidents connected with their boyhood 
days, while the women of the household were 


PLEASAJVT TIMES IN VERMONT. 1 53 

preparing for the picnic which they had decided 
to take to the lake. 

Josh and Lucy entered into the spirit of the 
affair with zeal, as young people are apt to do 
when a good time is in prospect, and in about 
an hour they were ready to start. The two 
farm-horses were harnessed into the big wagon, 
and all the Canzy family embarked. Of course 
Lucy was included, as she was recognized as 
one of the family, and she began to feel herself 
as if she would be so ere long, in fact. 

The other two families were ready to start in 
Mr. Tenny’s carriage. 

The day was delightful. A beautiful, clear 
sky, cheerful, bright sun, and cool, refreshing 
breeze made it all that could be desired. 

The horses entered into the spirit of the thing, 
and pranced in great style, as if they were 
bedecked with golden harness and accompanied 
with postilion and outriders. 

The ride and scenery are quite familiar to the 
reader, and in the course of an hour and a 
quarter they arrived at the beautiful grove and 
lake, where every preparation had been made 
for fishing by Josh and Sammy ; and after the 


154 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


horses had been turned out to pasture, and the 
men had busied themselves in preparing wood 
and built the fires for cooking coffee, and the 
boys had made ready the boats, they all stepped 
aboard and were soon skimming over the glassy 
surface of the water. 

This was a great luxury for the elder gentle- 
men, for it had been years since they had en- 
joyed anything like it. The little lake and its 
surroundings were enchanting, and in a short 
time Josh piloted them to the familiar brook, 
where the speckled beauties were quite ready to 
breakfast, and it was not long before the rod 
and line were in full play taking in the hungry 
fish. 

The elder gentlemen were wild with delight. 
Their thoughts went back to early boyhood, at 
the fine times that they had experienced. They 
indeed felt quite young again. When they had 
fished all they wished, they returned with their 
bountiful supply, and made ready for dinner, as 
they all had a keen appetite and could do ample 
justice to fried trout or anything else edible that 
might come to hand. 

Mr. Canzy had remained behind to assist the 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT. 155 

women in getting wood and preparing the table, 
as they had a large party to provide for ; but it 
did not take long, with many willing hands, to 
have the smoking trout and other toothsome 
viands on the table, and the hungry crowd was 
quite ready to enjoy them. 

They did not hurry with the meal, but each 
ate to their heart’s content, and then they enjoyed 
the wind-up with stories of early days and songs, 
which many of them could render with good 
effect, for the most of the young people were 
good singers, and the elders could fill in with 
the chorus. Fortunately, Sammy had not for- 
gotten to bring the fiddle, which was a great 
help in keeping them in harmony. 

When they all sang in the chorus it seemed 
as if the echoes in the surrounding hills and 
forests joined with them in joy and gladness, 
but their pleasure must now come to an end, as 
the time had come for them to return. The 
boys went in pursuit of the horses, while the 
men and women began to pack up and get 
ready for home, and they were all soon ready 
to depart. The drive home was very pleasant 
in the waning afternoon, and the horses, having 


156 JOSH CANZVS EXPERIENCE. 


had a good rest and green grass, took them 
along with good speed, and it was but a com- 
paratively short time before they arrived safely 
and very much pleased with their trip. As 
they were all prepared for their journey to 
Newport, those that were going (only the elder 
people with Lucy) were soon ready and took 
their departure. 

The cares of the household devolved upon 
Josh, Sammy, and Lizzie. On a farm there is 
a great deal to be done that requires prompt 
attention. The invaluable trio were quite com- 
petent to do it. Their parents, at least, thought 
so. 

Mr. Tenny with his party arrived at his 
Newport home in the early evening. After in- 
troducing them to his brother and family, with 
whom he was making a visit, and after partak- 
ing of a light supper, they rehearsed the various 
interesting incidents of the day, and each spoke 
of the enjoyment, which was of considerable in- 
terest and pleasure to the immediate participants, 
but not perhaps so much to Mr. Tenny’s brother 
and family, who had always been surrounded 
by similar opportunities. But he felt that as 


PLEASANT TIMES IN VERMONT. 1 57 

his friends had described it all with so much 
ardor, he could not help but enter into it some- 
what as he caught their zeal. 

As they had risen early and had a long and 
exciting day, filled full of pleasure and enjoy- 
ment, they all retired early and were soon lost 
in profound slumber. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


A PLEASANT TRIP TO NEWPORT, AND PREPARA- 
TIONS TO RETURN TO BOSTON. 



l HE following day was spent in rest and 


* slight recreation. They took a carriage 
drive near the borders of Lake Memphramagog, 
where the scenery of the shores is so famous. 
The view across the lake is very fine as it 
strikes the eye from its many projecting points, 
affording a delightful prospect. Having gone 
as far as was thought best, they took a different 
route on their return, taking in other views, and 
arrived home in good time for supper. 

After supper there was a gathering of the 
families in the parlor. Mr. Tenny said it was a 
grand reunion, as there had not been such a 
gathering of his own immediate family for many 
years, and the invited guests were as welcome 
as any of them. 

Mr. Tenny was the eldest of the family. 
His father and mother had been dead some 


A TRIP TO NEWPORT. 159 

years, and that house was the old homstead, it 
having been occupied by his brother since their 
parents’ death. It was a place he loved to visit 
for rest and relief from the cares of business, and 
his only brother and sister were residents here, 
and were present with their families. The sur- 
roundings were so beautiful it was a constant 
source of pleasure to be there, and in behalf of 
his brother he would bid them all a cordial wel- 
come. Many present were singers, and they 
engaged in singing and dancing, and had light 
refreshments, and were happy in the enjoyment 
of the occasion. 

They all gave a parting good night, with re- 
grets that they could not remain longer to- 
gether. They were up early in the morning, as 
Mr. Canzy and wife decided to return home. 
It was arranged that Josh, Sammy, and Lizzie 
should come to Newport the following day. 
With kind farewells from all, they started off. 

Nothing interfered with their journey. The 
day was pleasant and comfortable, and they ar- 
rived in good season at the farm. 

Josh and the children were glad to see their 
parents back to the old homestead. Mr. Canzy 


160 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 


inquired of Josh how he got along with the 
farm, and whether he wanted to return to his 
old occupation? Josh said he was glad to visit 
his old home and greet his family and old 
friends, but did not care to stay. He liked 
Boston and its surroundings, and the business in 
which he was engaged and in which he pros- 
pered, and it would be a great misfortune if 
anything occurred to cause him to give it up. 

His father and mother were both pleased that 
his prospects were so bright. His father said 
to him, after the children had gone about their 
various duties, that he had quite a lengthy con- 
versation with Mr. Tenny in regard to his busi- 
ness relations, and he said he was very well 
satisfied with the character of his son, and his 
great success with the business, and the industry 
and studious carefulness with which he attended 
to all its details, and he saw no reason why he 
would not prove a very successful and useful 
business man. 

He said he was contemplating a change in 
his business before a great while ; the nature of 
it he was not at liberty to state at present, as 
his partner desired to think over the matter 


A TRIP TO NEWPORT. l6l 

somewhat before they could mature their plans 
definitely. 

Josh said, “ When do they think of returning 
to Boston, and is Lucy going with them?” 

His father stated it had been arranged for 
Josh, Sammy, and Lizzie to go to Newport 
to-morrow early and spend the day, and he 
(Josh) to remain a few days before their return 
to Boston, and probably he could come down 
again and see them before leaving. The family 
all wanted to retire early, as they had been very 
busy for several days. 

In the morning the three started off early, 
that they might have a long day at Newport. 
It was quite a treat for the two younger ones 
to go, as they did not get away very often. 

The ride was pleasant, and all were glad to 
meet again, especially Josh and Lucy, for they 
had been in the habit of seeing each other quite 
often, and it was of course unpleasant to be de- 
prived of the privilege. 

The few days that remained for their visit 
was filled to good advantage, and they all had 
the opportunity of becoming well acquainted 
with each other. Josh was much pleased with 


162 JOSH CANZY'S experience ’ 

Mr. Tenny’s relatives at Newport, and hoped as 
time went on he should know them better. 

Mr. Tenny told Josh he thought he had better 
begin to make preparations to return to Boston 
the following Monday. He would need a few 
days to return to the “ Corners, ” and he could 
meet them all at the station when ready to start. 

The next morning being Friday, they three 
started. Sammy and Lizzie were delighted 
with their trip. 

They were all busy the rest of the week, and 
Sunday started for church. All Josh’s friends 
were glad to see him, and the leader of the 
choir was interested to know where his lady 
friend was, as he hoped to hear her again in 
the choir. Josh informed him that she was at 
Newport, and they were all to return to Boston 
the next Monday, and they would not hear her 
voice again this time, which caused much regret. 

After church the three elder children enjoyed 
their walk home. Josh’s kind mother had pre- 
pared his clothes while in Newport, and his 
trunk was ready. The afternoon was spent in 
the quiet home. There was much rejoicing in 
the homestead at the good fortune of Josh. 


A TRIP TO NEWPORT. 163 

On Monday morning his father and he started 
for the station with farewells and kisses from 
all. The morning was fine, and Dobbin trotted 
along briskly. On their way the conversation 
was principally upon the young man’s bright 
prospects in life, of which indeed the father 
was proud. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


DEPARTURE FOR BOSTON, ARRIVAL, AND RE- 
SUMPTION OF THEIR VARIOUS DUTIES. 

EPH AND JOSH ASSUME NEW BUSI- 
NESS AND DOMESTIC RELA- 
TIONS. 

'T'HEY all arrived at the station in ample 
* time. Mr. Tenny and Mr. Sawyer ar- 
ranged for the tickets and baggage, as there 
was quite a party, and it took some little time. 
Josh spent a little time with his father. Just as 
the train arrived, Lucy came forward to bid 
Mr. Canzy good-by, and the whole party ex- 
changed with him their final farewells and took 
seats in the train, which soon departed. 

Josh and Lucy took seats together in the 
train, and had much to say. Very soon the 
scenery became attractive, and they enjoyed it 
together. 

After a time the party separated a little, and 
they exchanged seats. Mr. Tenny wanted to 

164 


THEIR RETURN TO BUSINESS. 165 

have a little chat with Josh. The elder ladies 
sat together, and Lucy took a seat with her 
father. Mr. Tenny said he was hardly pre- 
pared to say all he wanted to in regard to his 
business, but he had talked it over with his 
partner somewhat, and they had about con- 
cluded to retire and give up the business to the 
younger men. They should retain a control- 
ling interest for the present, but would not take 
an active part. His son would take charge 
of the financial affairs, Ephraim the general 
management and purchasing department, and 
you, Josh, the internal management and sales. 
He also said he had confidence in the ability 
and integrity of all three of the young men to 
discharge their various duties honorably. 

Josh expressed deep gratification to his noble 
and honored employer for the confidence he 
had seen fit to place in him, and said he should 
continue to do in the future (as he had in the 
past) all in his power to promote the success of 
the business. 

They were now approaching St. Johnsbury, 
where the train would make a short stop. The 
ladies did not care to leave the car, as they had 


1 66 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

provided themselves with refreshment sufficient 
for the party. The gentlemen stepped upon 
the platform to get a little air, but soon re- 
turned. The train soon started on its journey 
towards New Hampshire. The scenery border- 
ing the Connecticut is delightful, which they 
enjoyed. They exchanged seats somewhat. 
Josh sat with Mr. Sawyer a part of the way. 
He was a gentleman with whom he liked to 
converse, as he was a sound, practical man, and 
thoroughly conversant with all the general 
affairs of life, and always spoke to the point. 
He understood the relation that existed between 
his daughter and Josh, and both he and his 
wife were perfectly satisfied with it. Nothing 
was said upon the subject, as their seats were 
facing each other. The mother and daughter 
were facing opposite. 

Mr. Tenny and his wife had taken seats to- 
gether. They journeyed on very pleasantly, 
the wild New Hampshire scenery coming into 
view. After crossing the Connecticut River, 
they sped on very rapidly, passing Concord, 
Plymouth, Manchester, Nashua, Lowell, making 
short stops, and arriving in Boston about 9 p. m. 


THEIR RETURN TO BUSINESS . 167 

Mr. and Mrs. Tenny took the car for their 
home in Brookline, and Mr. Sawyer’s family 
for their residence in Temple Street, all tired, 
but delighted with their trip. 

Next morning found them all about their 
accustomed duties. The two young men were 
glad to meet after the few weeks’ absence and 
exchanged cordial congratulations. Mr. Tenny 
saluted them all in his usual courteous manner, 
and the routine of the business moved on as usual. 

On the arrival of Mr. Smith, the partner of 
Mr. Tenny, they held a consultation in their 
private office in regard to their business affairs, 
and came to the conclusion as had been pre- 
viously suggested. Mr. Smith’s health had 
been failing for some time, and he felt it 
would be better for him to retire from active 
business entirely, and as he had sufficient com- 
petence, it would be well for him to take a long 
sea voyage, and endeavor to restore his health. 
He submitted a proposition to Mr. Tenny to sell 
out his interest to him, and after due considera- 
tion Mr. Tenny decided to accept the offer. 
He was now in a position to carry out the 
management with the boys as he had planned. 


1 68 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

The next day he called the three young men 
into his private office, and stated to them his 
proposition as has been related. Of course 
they were highly pleased and perfectly satis- 
fied. They each said they felt his kindness 
with deep gratitude, and would use their best en- 
deavors to give him no cause of regret. 

Mr. Tenny said the firm could remain un- 
changed as Joseph Tenny & Co., and they 
could get it all arranged so as to start as a firm 
on the first of the following month. Mr. Tenny 
stated that he had talked over the matter with 
Mr. Sawyer and Mr. Canzy, and they had 
talked it over with the boys’ mothers, and most 
assuredly Henry’s mother knew all about it, 
and he smilingly remarked all the mothers 
knew all about the other relations, too, and it 
seemed to be mutually satisfactory, and thus 
they separated. 

Any business friend, or customer, of the 
house of Joseph Tenny & Co., upon calling 
there after the time mentioned, would not have 
supposed there was any change in the business. 
The business had gone on the same as usual, 
the same promptness and fairness in all their 


THEIR RETURN TO BUSINESS. 1 69 

dealings as before. The young men attended 
to their business as usual, and spent their even- 
ings in attending lectures, concerts, or amusing 
themselves at home. Mr. Henry Tenny visited 
the Temple Street mansion more often, perhaps, 
and Mary, of course, gave him a glad welcome. 

Josh did not have so much of Eph’s company 
to the Union or lectures, for he found more 
pleasure in a ride to Brookline. Josh did not 
miss it so much, considering his “ladylove” 
was under the same roof as himself, and thus 
everything went on swimmingly with each. 

Finally it was announced that Mr. Henry 
Tenny and Mary Canzy were engaged to be 
married, also Ephraim Sawyer and Caroline 
Tenny, and likewise Joshua Canzy and Lucy 
Sawyer. All this created considerable commo- 
tion among their various acquaintances and 
friends, which soon subsided, and when the in- 
vitations were sent out for the happy event, all 
the parties were to take place at the Brookline 
mansion of Mr. Joseph Tenny on the following 
Christmas. 

Our story nears its end. Doubtless similar 
opportunities have occurred, and such experi- 


170 JOSH CANZY'S EXPERIENCE. 

ences wrought. Very many similar opportuni- 
ties and experiences would take place again if 
more wealthy men in the community would be 
willing to give young men and women the 
means and position to show what they can do. 
Unfortunately, such is not usually the case. 

The triple wedding took place as announced. 
A goodly company of select, appreciative peo- 
ple were present. All the parents of the 
contracting parties were there, and enjoyed it 
as fully as any present. The young couples 
started in their career of domestic life with 
bright hopes and promises. Let us hope they 
were fully realized. 


[the end.] 


B D 1 & 15 












HO 






• X v 

° 3r > 

** <L‘ CV ,* • 0 “/ a « ^ , 

v <».., %.*— v° ... v y 

V,/ ^ ,^ v - 

V ; f.* — 


U 

< o 
^ * 


O. 'o . , - ,*\ 




o 0 w 0 ^ <S> 

• r-C*S^V ^ ^ 

«b / • 


*° 'V ■ 




*° V 


.o *$>*•*'• ^ o. * 0 « o 9 .cr 

<0 ****** ^ 0 s 9 *-!'-, O 0^ ft * • o 


•* A^ 

^ C* * 

V V* 




* A y y 

. . / & % • 

A \ V v • • * < G ~ O « * 

sg: ®> ; jlw : *bv* 

C^ 7 © \0 v*> *■ • < o . • 



^■n#. 


•■•f° % ‘ “ ' • ' y °o. '.^* .0> ' 

A *° .:i'i*. * v\ , 0 * ..... 


^4 


* ^ ^ - 
v* f v ♦ 

^ <p * 




s *v> ^ 

*' a> C. *. 

& '.. % *•»• 
«. v .^4teL\- c ^>. .a; 


0 V ^ 
k Cl « 






cv „ 

o * 

A V - ' ' " * 

• ''trv £ * 

r vP V 

.* ♦♦ ^ 

J '»•*• V s <» *'-•* .- 
O a*» + (P jLsrnZ- °0 , 

N <. «?vN\W <* ?. ^ v * j^iU/TP^l _ ^ .\3 

+mA ^ o 


6 

'*<! 

^ ^ * 0v ^ V*S 

^ *•<’• A>* °^. *»-»° & ^ * 

+ v * ;.aL^ c* .‘; r "71 

^ A •VGfiSV*. ^ A* *,a Vo 



<* *f± 

'. ^ o 5 • 

; a ^ : 

-^s^.' -o ^ *~ z m)>*s J? c-_ % 

s* V/* c\ o’*®* ^ 4 ,»«•* o 

^ *o. a*^ .o. a „ 

♦ ^< 4 - jm&'o ^ ^ :Jjj|| * r ^ 

• A V ^ ^llfilr * ^ V * A 

/ V ^ ^ -.W/ V 

'• • * * A <\ *'77 * * 0 V '«.»'* A 

a 4 o 0 7° + ^>v 0 * •*•'*.» o *& c o 

«■* • -T*^V 1 \ . <* " C . 1 /v / 3 < 2 ~ -* i *) i ^ 

*> .V ^ 



D o 


A < 
’’o >* J 

DOBBS BROS. 

LIBRARY BINDING 


JAN 70 



>° ^ . 

* f) 

+U ® « 0 ' a° ^ ’ ‘ 

V' t 4 ^w'* ^ V V °- > 

ST. AUGUSTINE . A *VfM?V. ^ A? ^ 

^ A. \v!Ww/// Z » V 



oU«^ 

FLA. \>V 


32084 /'V “• 



♦ & ^ - -• 




library of congress 


0002174730Q 









